Today’s News 02 August 2021 (Monday)

A. NAVY NEWS/COVID NEWS/PHOTOS Title Writer Newspaper Page NIL NIL NIL NIL

B. NATIONAL HEADLINES Title Writer Newspaper Page OCTA sees possible Delta community M Punongbayan P Star 1 1 transmission Border controls to stop exodus from NCR Inquirer PDI A1 2 plus

C. NATIONAL SECURITY Title Writer Newspaper Page Locsin to raise sea row, vaccine access in P Brago P Star 1 3 Asean meet P Romero P Star 2 4 ‘Foreign policy is not exclusive to the President’

D. INDO-PACIFIC Title Writer Newspaper Page NIL NIL NIL NIL

E. AFP RELATED Title Writer Newspaper Page 5 400 Phl, US soldiers finish training exercise M Punongbayan P Star 9 P Journal 4 6 Use of military lands as ‘’ecozones’ formalized

F. CPP-NPA-NDF-LCM Title Writer Newspaper Page NIL NIL NIL NIL

G. MNLF/MILF/BIFF/ASG Title Writer Newspaper Page 7 Terrorist ‘spy’ nabbed R Pareño P Star 9

H. EDITORIAL-OPINION-COMMENTARY-SPECIAL Title Writer Newspaper Page 8 A ‘Hidilyn Diaz’ in all of us M Villanueva P Star 7 9 The PAF story R Farolan PDI A9 SWS misinforms the public on South China R Tiglao M Times A1 10 Sea Issue

I. ONLINE NEWS Title Link NATIONAL NEWS Palace celebrates Eumir Marcial https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/01/pal 11 quarterfinals win at Tokyo Olympics ace-celebrates-eumir-marcial-quarterfinals- win-at-tokyo-olympics/ Yulo seeks sweet redemption in vault https://news.tv5.com.ph/top-stories/read/tokyo- 12 finals, Knott starts medal quest olympics-yulo-seeks-sweet-redemption-in- vault-finals-knott-starts-medal-quest PHL biz sector braces for third ECQ in https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/02/phl- 13 NCR biz-sector-braces-for-third-ecq-in-ncr/ Upsurge only tip of iceberg’ https://manilastandard.net/news/top- 14 stories/361267/-upsurge-only-tip-of-iceberg- .html Oil price hike set: P1.10/liter https://manilastandard.net/news/national/3612 15 59/oil-price-hike-set-p1-10-liter.html DepEd readies for Brigada Eskwela https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/08/02 16 despite online classes /2116955/deped-readies-brigada-eskwela- despite-online-classes Foreign policy is not exclusive to the https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/08/02 17 President’ /2116947/foreign-policy-not-exclusive- president Filipinos divided on whether China is https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/01/news/ 18 'friend or foe' – survey filipinos-divided-on-whether-china-is-friend-or- foe-survey/1809276 Monsoon continues to bring rains in https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/08/02 19 Luzon, Metro Manila /2116937/monsoon-continues-bring-rains- luzon-metro-manila 2 or 3 cyclones likely this August https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/01/2-or-3-cyclones- 20 — PAGASA likely-this-august-pagasa/

PH, US ink aeronautical, maritime https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148964 21 search and rescue deal AFP RELATED Drilon deplores prioritizing funding vs https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/02/drilo 22 insurgency and not for ‘ayuda’ n-deplores-prioritizing-funding-vs-insurgency- and-not-for-ayuda/ Duterte flip-flop on VFA validates need to https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/01/duterte-flip-flop- 23 share foreign policy with Senate–Drilon on-vfa-validates-need-to-share-foreign-policy- with-senate-drilon/ Next admin needs to consider Senate https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/natio concurrence in VFA abrogation Drilon n/797690/next-admin-needs-to-consider- 24 – senate-concurrence-in-vfa-abrogation- drilon/story/ New AFP chief outlines plans, tells https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/07/31/ne 25 troops to set aside politics w-afp-chief-outlines-plans-tells-troops-to-set- aside-politics/ 'Victory will be ours': Pialago says she's https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/01/victory-will-be- 26 proud to be part of NTF-ELCAC ours-pialago-says-shes-proud-to-be-part-of- ntf-elcac/ People’s organization head withdraws https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/01/pe 27 support from Communist group oples-organization-head-withdraws-support- from-communist-group/ Miyembro ng PNP, kasapi umano ng https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/01/21/pulis- 28 Abu Sayyaf natuklasang-miyembro-abu-sayyaf-group PH, US conclude joint army exercise in https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/01/21/ph- 29 Nueva Ecija us-conclude-joint-army-exercise-in-nueva-ecija INDO-PACIFIC NEWS ASEAN: PH takes on equal access, sea https://manilastandard.net/news/top- 30 row stories/361262/asean-ph-takes-on-equal- access-sea-row.html Chinese-Filipino general's role in https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/01/chinese-filipino- 31 strengthening PH-China ties cited generals-role-in-strengthening-ph-china-ties- cited/ 11 US senators denounce PH for https://manilastandard.net/news/national/3612 32 ‘abuses’ 56/11-us-senators-denounce-ph-for-abuses- .html USA-Japan-Taiwan form trilateral to https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/de check China's territorial ambitions fence/usa-japan-taiwan-form-trilateral-to- 33 check-chinas-territorial- ambitions/articleshow/84939785.cms Frustration as Biden, Congress allow https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business- 34 eviction ban to expire health-coronavirus-pandemic-us-supreme- court-3065b165b8110c4238c698af8bcb8a42 Senior US officials kick off 'unusually https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/1230 35 frequent' visits to SE Asian countries 240.shtml US economic growth decelerates, made https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/1230 36 worse by decoupling from China 204.shtml Beijing Olympics Means ‘Patting Xi https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/olympics 37 Jinping on the Back’ Amid Xinjiang, Tibet -genocide-07312021141743.html Horrors Japan-US ties must not harm China, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/ 38 Chinese envoy warns article/3143388/japan-us-ties-must-not-harm- china-chinese-envoy-warns The common interests behind China and https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/ 39 the Taliban’s talks in Tianjin article/3143125/common-interests-behind- china-and-talibans-talks-tianjin Olympics-IOC has no plan to mark https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/ 40 moment of silence on Hiroshima olympics-ioc-has-no-plan-to-mark-moment-of- anniversary silence-on-hiroshima-anniversary-15355770 Senior Japanese Embassy diplomat https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021 41 recalled home after disparaging remarks /08/120_313145.html against Moon North Korea’s pandemic isolation fuels https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health- 42 humanitarian disaster fears environment/article/3143300/kim-jong-un- hints-hardships-stoking-fears-famines Thailand Begins Crackdown On ‘Fake https://www.eurasiareview.com/01082021- 43 News’ Amid Rising Criticism Of thailand-begins-crackdown-on-fake-news- Government amid-rising-criticism-of-government/ What's happening in Myanmar, six https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/ 44 months after the coup? myanmar-junta-coup-aung-san-suu-kyi- 15352212 Descent into Darkness https://www.rfa.org/english/news/special/myan 45 mar-unrest/six-month.html Myanmar military ruler promises https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/ 46 elections, says ready towork with myanmar-military-ruler-elections-min-aung- ASEAN ( hlaing-coup-asean-15352784 Pak says it wields ‘modest leverage’ on https://www.hindustantimes.com/world- Taliban; refuses to take in refugees news/pak-says-it-wields-modest-leverage-on- 47 taliban-refuses-to-take-in-refugees- 101627837712367.html New Zealand apologizes for historic https://www.news10.com/news/international/ne 48 raids on Pacific people w-zealand-apologizes-for-historic-raids-on- pacific-people/ The IOC Should Stop Lying to Itself https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/08/01/the-ioc- 49 About the Beijing Olympics should-stop-lying-to-itself-about-the-beijing- olympics/ DEFENSE NEWS Towards A Rigorous Code Of Conduct https://www.eurasiareview.com/01082021- 50 For The South China Sea towards-a-rigorous-code-of-conduct-for-the- south-china-sea-analysis/ UK carrier not looking for confrontation https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/30/asia/south- 51 in South China Sea, official says china-sea-military-activity-hms-queen- elizabeth-intl-hnk-ml/index.html The Royal Navy’s operation in the https://asiapost.live/the-observer-view-on-the- 52 South China Sea royal-navys-operation-in-the-south-china-sea- observer-editorial/ The British Defence Singapore Support https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/the-british- 53 Unit – enabling the tilt defence-singapore-support-unit-enabling-the- tilt/ US Warships Escort Oil Tanker https://www.eurasiareview.com/01082021-us- 54 Attacked In Indian Ocean warships-escort-oil-tanker-attacked-in-indian- ocean/ Iraq withdrawal marks latest phase in https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/a 55 US shift to Asia-Pacific rticle/3143328/iraq-troop-withdrawal-deal- marks-latest-phase-us-shift-asia Justice Department: Russians hacked https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/02/justic 56 US federal prosecutors e-department-russians-hacked-us-federal- prosecutors/ PLA flattops, advanced warplanes https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/12302 57 celebrate China's Army Day 31.shtml The Chinese Navy Keeps Building https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/more- 58 Aircraft Carriers more-more-chinese-navy-keeps-building- aircraft-carriers-190923 Taiwan military to design new armored https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/42621 59 vehicle 41 Taiwan military underusing combat https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archi 60 simulation technology ves/2021/08/02/2003761887 Japan nuclear white paper warns https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210 61 against complacency 801_04/ SoKor: Clean-up cost dispute delays http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=2021 62 US base move 0801000220 Seoul faces dilemma in upcoming joint https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/ 63 military drill 08/103_313176.html Unification official calls for delay in https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/08/0 Korea-U.S. military exercises 1/national/northKorea/USKorea-joint-military- 64 interKorean-dialogue-Unification- Ministry/20210801182400463.html North Korean leader's sister warns https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/ki 65 Seoul against military drill with m-jong-un-sister-warns-seoul-military-drill-us- Washington north-korea-15355910 Thailand: Massive 2.5bn-baht missile https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/ 66 agreement put on ice 2158231/massive-2-5bn-baht-missile- agreement-put-on-ice Indian and Chinese armies set up https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/def 67 hotline for Sikkim sector ence/indian-and-chinese-armies-set-up-hotline- for-sikkim-sector/articleshow/84949428.cms Amid LAC row, Leh boosts oxygen https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/def infrastructure in forward areas ence/amid-lac-row-leh-boosts-oxygen- 68 infrastructure-in-forward- areas/articleshow/84939907.cms Many Kashmiri youths visiting Pakistan https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/def on valid papers infiltrating back as ence/many-kashmiri-youths-visiting-pakistan- 69 terrorists: Officials on-valid-papers-infiltrating-back-as-terrorists- officials/articleshow/84945298.cms Eastern Fleet on visit to Port Blair to https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/def enhance synergy with Andaman & ence/eastern-fleet-on-visit-to-port-blair-to- 70 Nicobar Command enhance-synergy-with-andaman-nicobar- command/articleshow/84940947.cms Pakistan uses army to protect projects https://www.scmp.com/week- with Chinese workers after Dasu bus asia/politics/article/3143253/pakistan-uses- 71 blast army-protect-projects-chinese-workers-after- dasu Australian Navy HMAS Sydney Hobart https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/nav 72 Class guided missile destroyer is now al-news/naval-news-archive/2021/august.html ready for operational duty Australian army to hit Sydney streets as https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia- NSW COVID-19 cases rise news-live-army-to-hit-sydney-streets-as-nsw- 73 covid-19-cases-rise-brisbane-in-lockdown- 20210802-p58exu.html Russian Air Force Su-35 Jet Crashes in https://www.defenseworld.net/news/30140/Rus 74 Sea, Pilot Ejects sian_Air_Force_Su_35_Jet_Crashes_in_Sea__ Pilot_Ejects The Start of a Russia-China Military https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/start- 75 Alliance russia-china-military-alliance-190866 Afghan forces battle to thwart Taliban https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/af 76 assaults on key cities ghan-forces-battle-to-thwart-taliban-assaults- on-key-cities-15353476 Taliban rockets hit Kandahar airport, https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Taliban-rockets- 77 clashes intensify in Afghanistan hit-Kandahar-airport-clashes-intensify-in- Afghanistan COVID NEWS Delta variant community transmission https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/01/delta-variant- 78 may be already happening in Metro community-transmission-may-be-already- Manila — OCTA happening-in-metro-manila-octa/ CDC: Delta variant 'as contagious as https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/2021 79 chickenpox' 0801_15/ 'Virus has changed': New Covid strain https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/covid-19- scarier than Delta coronavirus-lambda-variant-may-be-more- 80 dangerous-than- delta/DYS3HGZQQMQOOVYHIB6DSZR5FI/ China considers plan for vaccine booster https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/arti 81 shots cle/3143386/covid-19-china-considers-plans- give-most-vulnerable-people Cambodia to mix vaccines as booster https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/c 82 shots to fight COVID-19 ambodia-covid-19-booster-shots-vaccine- 15353972 Deaths reach tsunami proportions in https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/deaths- 83 Thai COVID surge reach-tsunami-proportions-in-thai-covid-surge- 20210801-p58evf.html What you need to know about the https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare- 84 coronavirus right now pharmaceuticals/what-you-need-know-about- coronavirus-right-now-2021-03-02/ Mapping the Coronavirus Outbreak https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020- 85 Across the World coronavirus-cases-world- map/?srnd=coronavirus Covid map: Where are cases the https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105 86 highest? Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid- 87 vaccine-tracker-global- distribution/?srnd=premium-asia

J. OPINION/EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY Title Link 88 The PAF story https://opinion.inquirer.net/142682/the-paf- story 89 SWS misinforms the public on South https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/02/opinio China Sea issue n/columns/sws-misinforms-the-public-on- south-china-sea-issue/1809351 90 Negative views of China increase https://ipdefenseforum.com/2021/07/negative- worldwide despite expanding CCP views-of-china-increase-worldwide-despite- propaganda campaigns expanding-ccp-propaganda-campaigns/ 91 Myanmar is turning into a super-spreader https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/com COVID-19 state mentary/myanmar-super-spreader-covid-19- state-doctors-15336516 92 What happens if people stay https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/com unvaccinated? The US shows the mentary/what-happens-if-people-stay- answer unvaccinated-hospitalisation-death-15338698 93 Australia's COVID-19 about-face is a https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Australia-s- warning for everyone COVID-19-about-face-is-a-warning-for- everyone

Palace celebrates Eumir Marcial quarterfinals win at Tokyo Olympics Published 18 hours ago on August 1, 2021 10:16 PM By MJ Blancaflor @tribunephl_MJB Malacañang commended boxer Eumir Marcial for securing an Olympic podium finish after beating his Armenian opponent at the Tokyo Games on Sunday.

Marcial got his ticket in the semifinals after his first-round knockout win against Armenia’s Arman Darchinyan in their quarterfinal bout at the Kokugikan Arena.

“We congratulate Eumir Marcial for securing the Philippines’ third Olympic medal when he defeated his opponent in the men’s boxing middleweight quarterfinals today, August 1, at the Tokyo Olympics,” presidential spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque said.

“Mabuhay ka, Eumir. Go for gold!” he added.

Through his powerful right hook, coupled with stellar footwork, Marcial knocked out Darchinyan with 49 seconds left in the first round.

It was Marcial’s second straight victory in such a fashion. The 25-year-old fighter also scored a first-round stoppage over Algeria’s Younes Nemouchi in his Olympic debut on Thursday.

The Palace urged the nation to continue supporting Filipino Olympians, including Marcial, who would face European champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine on Thursday, hoping to secure his ticket to a possible match for a gold medal in the men’s boxing middleweight division.

Filipina pug Nesthy Petecio is just one win away from a possible gold medal in the women’s boxing featherweight class, while flyweight Carlo Paalam is three wins away.

“Let us continue supporting and cheering Eumir and other Filipino athletes in their quest for gold,” Roque said.

Last week, the country widely celebrated the historic feat of Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz who ended the 97-year gold medal drought of the Philippines at the Olympics.

To win the women’s 55kg event in weightlifting, she lifted 127kg in the clean and jerk category — setting a new record at the Games. https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/01/palace-celebrates-eumir-marcial-quarterfinals-win-at- tokyo-olympics/ TOKYO OLYMPICS | Yulo seeks sweet redemption in vault finals, Knott starts medal quest August 1, 2021 , 07:31 PM By Martin Dale Bolima

(August 1, 2021) – Two Filipino bets are slated to see action on Monday in the Tokyo Olympics, one looking to close his stint with a medal and the other looking to kick off her campaign on a positive note.

Gymnast Carlos Yulo, the “bunso” of the Philippines, aims to salvage a podium finish in what has so far been a heartbreaking performance in the Summer Games. Tipped as a possible multiple medal winner, the 21-year-old Yulo only qualified for the finals of the vault event.

The reserved wunderkind faltered in his pet event, the floor exercise, where he was expected to battle for the gold medal. It went all downhill from there for Yulo as he was unable to flash the form that has made him one of the rising stars in gymnastics.

All, of course, is not lost for the pride of Malate, Manila, who in 2019 became the first-ever male Southeast Asian to rule the 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. But he will have to raise the degree of difficulty of his routine to score an upset against his highly touted competitors and take home a medal.

“The technical people told me that as long as Caloy sticks to the floor (and doesn’t wobble), and then gets that difficulty score (5.60) in the two vaults, he has a shot,” said Cynthia Carrion, president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, in a report by Philippine Star.

Yulo was inconsolable after his dismal showing in the qualifying round, struggling to search for the proper words to describe his performance.

“I don’t know what happened,” admitted Yulo to reporters. “I came here really prepared. I did my best. Maybe it just wasn’t meant for me.”

Now, he has the chance to turn that bitter dejection into sweet redemption and become the first-ever gymnastics Olympic medalist of the Philippines. But needless to say, Yulo, who has been training in Japan for years now, needs to be flawless if he is to give the country a record-breaking fourth medal.

Filipino-American sprinter Kristina Knott, meanwhile, will begin on Monday morning her own quest for a medal in the 2oo-meter dash. She is slated to race in lane 4 of heat 7, where she will look to finish in the top three to advance to the semifinals on Monday evening.

That, however, figures to be a tall order for the 25-year-old Knott, who qualified for the Tokyo Olympics through the universality slot or wild card entry. She also tested positive for COVID-19 a few days before flying to the Summer Games. She has fully recovered and has been in high spirits. https://news.tv5.com.ph/top-stories/read/tokyo-olympics-yulo-seeks-sweet-redemption-in-vault-finals- knott-starts-medal-quest PHL biz sector braces for third ECQ in NCR BYTYRONE JASPER C. PIAD AUGUST 2, 2021

THE business sector is gearing up for another bumpy ride with the upcoming implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) amid the growing cases of Covid-19 Delta variant.

This will be the third time that the country’s capital is put under the strictest form of community quarantine, which is seen to further hamper mobility, employment, consumer spending and demand.

While preparations may vary according to industry, the business leaders interviewed by the BusinessMirror pointed out that enforcing ECQ will affect operations. The government announced last week that Metro Manila will be subject to ECQ on August 6-20.

“Preparations will obviously vary per sector but some examples are ensuring the workforce are equipped to work from home, stocking up on supplies and ensuring supply chains continue to operate and are disrupted as little as possible,” Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) National Issues Committee Chairperson Rizalina Mantaring said.

George T. Barcelon, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) chairman, echoed the same concerns with the supply chain, especially for the part of the export-oriented manufacturers.

He said that exporters may encounter challenges when it comes to transporting supplies coming outside Metro Manila given the anticipated restrictions. The companies will also need to work around with new schedules of production, considering the ECQ and its impact on mobility of the employees as well, the Philexport official explained.

In addition, Barcelon said the firms may need to coordinate with their clients for the potential delays in shipments.

“They [exporters] have to tell their buyers of the delay. They might lose some orders,” he said. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/02/phl-biz-sector-braces-for-third-ecq-in-ncr/

‘Upsurge only tip of iceberg’ Treatment czar admits to limited capability in detecting Delta posted August 02, 2021 at 01:20 am by Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz

The recent increase in COVID-19 cases might only be the tip of the iceberg as the country's capability to detect the more transmissible Delta variant is still limited, Health Undersecretary and treatment czar Leopoldo Vega said Sunday.

DEVOTED. People line up outside the Baclaran Church on Sunday, as mass gatherings are prohibited and only online Masses are allowed under the enhanced community quarantine to be implemented from Aug. 6 to 20 due to the rise of the Delta coronavirus variant. Norman Cruz

The Philippines' new COVID-19 infections rose above 8,000 during three consecutive days, with the Delta variant cases mushrooming in Metro Manila and other provinces.

“Not all RT-PCR positive test results are used in sequencing the Delta variant. We think the cases we are able to record represents only the tip of the iceberg,” Vega said in Filipino in an interview on radio dzBB. “We need to do more to address this, otherwise more will get infected.”

Upticks in cases are seen in Metro Manila, Region 1, Region 4A, Region 6, Region 7, and Region 10, Vega said.

He said most of the sequenced Delta variant cases, now at 216, came from Metro Manila areas.

Vega acknowledged that daily cases could go much higher unless the government implements strict Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) measures.

Amid increasing Delta variant cases, Metro Manila will be placed again under the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from Aug. 6 to 20 in a bid to avert a possible surge in COVID-19 cases.

The Philippines logged 8,735 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections to 1,597,689, the third straight day when more than 8,000 cases were recorded.

One hundred twenty-seven new fatalities were reported, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 28,016. The DOH reported 5,930 persons who recently recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 1,506,027.

There were 63,646 active cases, of which 94 percent were mild, 1.3 percent were asymptomatic, 1.2 percent were critical, 2.1 percent were severe, and 1.45 percent were moderate.

Nationwide, 59 percent of the ICU beds, 51 percent of the isolation beds, 48 percent of the ward beds, and 40 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

In Metro Manila, 51 percent of the ICU beds, 49 percent of the isolation beds, 42 percent of the ward beds, and 39 percent of the ventilators, were in use.

Malacañang said it has placed the provinces of Apayao, Laguna and Aklan under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from Aug. 1 to 15. https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/361267/-upsurge-only-tip-of-iceberg-.html

Oil price hike set: P1.10/liter posted August 02, 2021 at 12:35 am by Alena Mae S. Flores

Consumers have to brace for a hefty oil price hike of up to P1.10 per liter this week that reflects the movement of prices in the world oil market.

"Expect fuel prices to go up next week (August 3 to 9). Diesel will increase by P0.70 to P0.80 per liter. Gasoline will increase by P1 to P1.10 per liter," Unioil Petroleum Philippines said in its advisory.

A report by Reuters on Friday said world oil prices went up amid growing demand, with vaccinations seen to lessen the impact of renewed resurgence of COVID-19 infections worldwide.

According to Reuters, analysts believe increased vaccinations would limit lockdowns that could affect demand.

Meanwhile, the expected oil price increases this week are a reversal of the oil price rollback implemented by the oil companies last week.

On July 27, the oil companies rolled back prices by P0.75 to P0.85 per liter for gasoline, P0.60 to P0.70 per liter for diesel, and P0.60 to P0.70 per liter for kerosene.

These resulted in the year-to-date adjustments to stand at a total net increase of P12.85 per liter for gasoline, P10.30 per liter for diesel, and P8.70 per liter for kerosene. Oil companies also raised the price of cooking gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) over the weekend.

Petron Corp. announced it implemented a P3.35 per kilo increase (VAT-inclusive) in LPG prices effective 12:01 am, August 1.

Isla LPG, which markets the Solane cooking gas brand, also raised LPG prices by P3.27 per kg. This is equivalent to an increase of between P35.97 to P36.85 per 11-kilo tank used in households.

Petron likewise increased its autoLPG prices by P1.87 per liter.

"These reflect the international contract price of LPG for the month of August," Petron said in its advisory. https://manilastandard.net/news/national/361259/oil-price-hike-set-p1-10-liter.html

DepEd readies for Brigada Eskwela despite online classes Rainier Allan Ronda (The Philippine Star ) - August 2, 2021 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is mobilizing for the conduct this week of the national schools maintenance program, popularly known as Brigada Eskwela, even with face-to-face classes still not allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brigada Eskwela 2021, DepEd said, will kick off tomorrow with a national virtual launch to be led by the Schools Division of Tagum City in Region 10.

The DepEd in a recent memorandum ordered schools division offices and regional offices to undertake their Brigada Eskwela from Aug. 3 to Sept. 30.

It ordered the implementation of Brigada Eskwela to comply with the required health standards, which include following social distancing measures and practicing proper hygiene consistent with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases guidelines.

The Brigada Eskwela is an annual weeklong activity of the DepEd wherein it draws on community and private sector participation to prepare public schools and make these ready to welcome students for the opening of classes.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier said the opening of classes in public schools is on Sept. 12.

The Brigada Eskwela 2021 has adopted the slogan “Bayanihan para sa Paaralan” while the regional theme is “Handang Paaralan para sa Handang Pasukan” with a focus on promoting collaboration for safe living and addressing social issues and concerns in schools, at home and in the community. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/08/02/2116955/deped-readies-brigada-eskwela-despite- online-classes

‘Foreign policy is not exclusive to the President’ Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star ) - August 2, 2021 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte’s shifting stance on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) validated the position of the Senate that foreign policy – as affirmed by the Supreme Court (SC) – is a shared power and responsibility, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said yesterday.

Drilon, a former justice secretary, said Duterte’s latest decision to recall the termination of the VFA, “after much hemming and hawing, proves that foreign policy is a function that cannot be left alone to the President.”

“Foreign policy is not exclusive to the President. It is a shared power with the Senate. It cannot be left to the President alone since it involves policy issues, and Congress is the policymaking body in our system of government,” Drilon said in a statement.

After unilaterally terminating the VFA on Feb. 11, 2020, Duterte recalled his decision several times in June 2020, November 2020 and in June 2021 until he decided to retract the termination outright last week after meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Manila.

Entered into force in 1999, the VFA serves as the implementing agreement to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. It also provides the legal cover for the resumption of military exercises between the Philippines and US and defines the treatment of American troops and personnel visiting the country.

The senator said Duterte’s latest action comes on the heels of the SC landmark ruling involving the President’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute, wherein the high court affirmed the need for Senate’s concurrence in the withdrawal from treaties and international agreements.

In Pangilinan v Cayetano, the SC held: “The President cannot unilaterally withdraw from treaties that were entered into pursuant to the legislative intent manifested in prior laws, or subsequently affirmed by succeeding laws. Treaties where Senate concurrence for accession is expressly premised on the same concurrence for withdrawal likewise cannot be the subject of unilateral withdrawal.” https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/08/02/2116947/foreign-policy-not-exclusive-president Filipinos divided on whether China is 'friend or foe' – survey August 1, 2021 900

FILIPINOS are divided on whether to consider China as "friend or foe", amid the challenges facing the two countries, especially in the West Philippine Sea.

About 53.3 percent "have held back their judgement in categorizing China as a clear friend or foe", according to PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. in its survey from July 13 to 19 covering 1,500 respondents drawn from approximately 100,000 Filipino registered voters.

Meanwhile, about 10.7 percent of Filipinos are sure that China is an enemy and 6.5 percent think China is a friend of the country.

It also said the majority of respondents "appear to be reserving judgment on China at the moment" while a "share of respondents that view China as a threat is slightly higher than the share that view China as a friend."

PUBLiCUS said 57.2 percent who view China as a friend are those who belong to the 30 to 39 age group. Those who think the opposite are among the oldest and youngest age groups. The survey also showed that respondents in the lower income (54.1 percent) and higher income (52.6 percent) brackets tend to see China as a friend. Respondents in the poor bracket (3.1 percent) tend to believe that China is an enemy.

"Filipinos are more inclined to adapt [adopt] a diplomatic and bilateral relationship with China more than any sort of aggression. Although the survey clearly supports the ramping up and strengthening of the Philippine Armed Forces (Philippine Navy) alongside a bilateral solution for the West Philippine Sea." PUBLiCus said. https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/01/news/filipinos-divided-on-whether-china-is-friend-or-foe- survey/1809276

Monsoon continues to bring rains in Luzon, Metro Manila Elizabeth Marcelo (The Philippine Star ) - August 2, 2021 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila and several provinces in Luzon will continue to experience rains and thunderstorms this week due to the southwest monsoon.

In its weekly weather outlook, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will persist until Friday over Luzon, especially over Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Batangas and Mindoro as well as Metro Manila.

PAGASA warned of flash floods and landslides from moderate to heavy rains, while the rest of the country will have fair weather, except for isolated rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.

Meanwhile, two weather disturbances were spotted yesterday off Northern Luzon.

PAGASA senior weather specialist Chris Perez said a low-pressure area was spotted 680 kilometers northeast of extreme northern Luzon.

The weather system is still outside the Philippine area of responsibiliy and there is slim chance for it to develop into a typhoon within 12 to 24 hours. It will however continue to enhance the southwest monsoon.

In its 4 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said a tropical depression was sighted at 2,265 kilometers east northeast of extreme northern Luzon and is still outside the Philippine area. As of 3 p.m yesterday, it packed maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 70 kph near its center. It was moving northwest at 15 kph. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/08/02/2116937/monsoon-continues-bring-rains-luzon- metro-manila

2 or 3 cyclones likely this August — PAGASA

Published August 1, 2021, 11:37 AM by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz Two or three tropical cyclones may enter or form inside the country’s area of responsibility this month, based on the historical record of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The climatological tracks of tropical cyclones inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in August suggest four common tracks.

• Recurving towards the northern part of PAR or non-landfalling, moving towards Japan, but may enhance the southwest monsoon activity during its passage.

• Recurving towards the northwestern part of PAR or non-landfalling, moving towards Taiwan, but may enhance the southwest monsoon activity during its passage.

• Landfalling tropical cyclones traversing the extreme northern islands of the Philippines or moving towards Hong Kong or Vietnam.

• Landfalling tropical cyclones traversing the northern parts of Luzon island or moving towards Vietnam.

PAGASA said that generally near normal rainfall conditions except for the western part of Luzon where below normal rainfall is likely are expected in August.

As of Sunday, Aug. 1, PAGASA said the southwest monsoon or “habagat” remains the dominant weather system across the country.

Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Batanes, Cagayan, Zambales, and Bataan.

PAGASA warned against possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to at times heavy monsoon rains.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/01/2-or-3-cyclones-likely-this-august-pagasa/

PH, US ink aeronautical, maritime search and rescue deal

August 1, 2021, 11:04 am

SEARCH & RESCUE DEAL. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and US Embassy Chargé d’affaires John C. Law signed the Philippine-United States Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue agreement on July 30, 2021. The deal provides delimitations on the search and rescue regions of the Philippines and the US. (DFA photo by Philip Fernandez)

MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and US Embassy Chargé d’affaires John C. Law signed the Philippine-United States Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (AMSAR) Agreement on July 30.

The AMSAR Agreement provides delimitations on the search and rescue regions of the Philippines and the United States.

It fosters stronger bilateral cooperation in the field of maritime and aeronautical search and rescue and enhances both countries’ effectiveness in assisting persons, vessels, aircraft or other craft in distress.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Foreign Affairs, with support from the Philippine Coast Guard, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the National Coast Watch Center, and the Department of National Defense, negotiated the AMSAR agreement from 25 to 26 September 2018.

The signing of the agreement stands as proof of the Philippines’ commitment to upholding its obligations under international conventions and treaties.

At the same time, it will help boost the Philippines’ capability to conduct search and rescue operations and save lives.

The signing was witnessed by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, who was in Manila for a visit, and Vice Admiral Eduardo D. Fabricante of the Philippine Coast Guard. It is another milestone in PH-US bilateral relations which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. (PR) https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148964

Drilon deplores prioritizing funding vs insurgency and not for ‘ayuda’ BYBUTCH FERNANDEZ AUGUST 2, 2021 SENATE Minority Leader Frank Drilon deplored the Duterte administration’s scrambling for funds for ‘ayuda’ but “quick to release” P16.3B anti-insurgency funds.

The opposition lawmaker lamented Sunday that while the government scrambles to source funds for the special amelioration program or “ayuda” when Metro Manila and other regions revert to an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) next week, the government had already released up to the last centavo of the P16.3 billion anti-insurgency funds, P4 billion of which went to Davao region.

Drilon deplored how the P16.3 billion could have been used instead for the much-needed ayuda that can put the food on the table of around 4.2 million Filipino families who experienced hunger during the pandemic.

Drilon said that a P4,000 per family, the fund, which was lodged under the heavily-criticized National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), can benefit four million Filipino families when Metro Manila and other regions revert to enhanced community quarantine from August 6 to 20 to control the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

“ Nakakalungkot po na may pondo para sa anti-insurgency pero walang pondo para sa ayuda,” Drilon said last Sunday. [It is unfortunate that there is funding for anti-insurgency but no funding for aid. Drilon said the government’s scrambling for funds can derail the distribution of the much-needed financial relief to poor Filipinos, which they would need when the country returns to ECQ. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/02/drilon-deplores-prioritizing-funding-vs-insurgency-and-not- for-ayuda/

Duterte flip-flop on VFA validates need to share foreign policy with Senate–Drilon

Published August 1, 2021, 9:53 AM by Hannah Torregoza Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Sunday, Aug. 1 said the President’s ever- changing and shifting stance on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) validates the Senate’s position that foreign policy should be a shared power and responsibility between the President and the Senate.

Drilon, a former justice secretary said, this has been affirmed by the Supreme Court in the recent Pangilinan v. Cayetano case.

“Foreign policy is not exclusive to the President. It is a shared power with the Senate. It cannot be left to the President alone since it involves policy issues, and Congress is the policy making body in our system of government,” Drilon said in a statement.

The SC earlier upheld that “the President cannot unilaterally withdraw from treaties that were entered into pursuant to the legislative intent manifested in prior laws, or subsequently affirmed by succeeding laws.”

“Treaties where Senate concurrence for accession is expressly premised on the same concurrence for withdrawal likewise cannot be the subject of unilateral withdrawal,” the SC said.

The minority leader also stressed the latest decision of the President to cancel the termination of the VFA also proves that foreign policy is a function that cannot be exclusive to the President.

After unilaterally terminating the VFA last Feb. 11, 2020, Duterte recalled his decision several times in June 2020, in November 2020 and in June 2021.

The President finally decided to retract the termination last Friday.

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Drilon also noted that the President’s latest action comes on the heels of the SC’s landmark ruling on the President’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute, wherein the High Court affirms the need for the Senate’s concurrence in the withdrawal from treaties and international agreements.

Meanwhile, Drilon said he expects there would be renewed efforts to strengthen the bilateral relations and military alliance between the Philippines and United States.

He stressed that both nations have shared decades of deeper bilateral relationship and diplomatic ties anchored on trust, respect and understanding. Through the VFA, the minority leader said both countries were able to share information, surveillance and perform reconnaissance operations in the West Philippine Sea and in Mindanao.

“The continuation of the VFA can help the country in so many areas most particularly with regard to the preservation of our rights over parts of the West Philippine Sea,” the veteran lawmaker said. [Hannah L. Torregoza] https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/01/duterte-flip-flop-on-vfa-validates-need-to-share-foreign-policy-with- senate-drilon/

Next admin needs to consider Senate concurrence in VFA abrogation –Drilon By CONSUELO MARQUEZ, GMA News Published August 1, 2021 4:02pm

If the next administration plans to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement, they must consult the Senate before terminating the VFA, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Sunday.Drilon spoke over Super Radyo dzBB, reacting to the President's retraction of the VFA termination which was announced by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

"In the future, kung bigla na lang maisipan ng pangulo, kung sinoman ang pangulo, na umalis sa isang tratado, kailangan konsultahin niya at kunin ang pagpapasya ng senado," Drilon said.

( In the future, if the President thinks about terminating a treaty, he needs to consult the Senate.)

As a policy-making body, the Senate should be involved in decision-making in foreign policy, said Drilon.

"Dahilan sa nakita nating urung-sulong na nakita natin sa VFA, iyan ay nagpapatunay na kailangan ang pag- uusap para lahat ng aspeto ay mapag-usapan at hindi executive lang ang magpapasya," the minority senator said.

(Since we saw how the decision on VFA was not steady, it shows that discussions are needed and that the executive should not be the only one who decides.)

Drilon said the United States needs the agreement as it provides them free navigation while the Philippines needs the US amid Chinese incursions in Philippine territory.

To further insist that VFA is needed, the minority senator said the Philippines needed American assistance for security issues and AFP modernization. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/797690/next-admin-needs-to-consider-senate- concurrence-in-vfa-abrogation-drilon/story/

New AFP chief outlines plans, tells troops to

set aside politics Published 2 days ago on July 31, 2021 10:11 PM By John Roson New Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. on Saturday outlined plans aimed at further improving the military’s performance and called on troops to set aside politics.

In a ceremony installing him as the AFP’s 56th chief of staff, Faustino said he will “fine tune” the military’s disposition of strength so soldiers can better help address issues in internal and external security, the COVID-19 pandemic, and natural disasters.

Deployment of the military’s reserve forces will also be reviewed and augmented, he said.

Faustino, who only has until November to serve in the military, said he also plans to establish “centers,” or facilities, that would study actions countering violent extremism and promote a self-reliant defense posture.

During his term, the military would also aim to develop more plans and tactics, and mitigate those that adversaries can use, he said.

Faustino also vowed to prioritize soldiers’ welfare, enhance the AFP’s cyber security, and expressed continued support to anti-criminality efforts by the National Police and other law enforcement agencies.

“Place patriotism over politics” and “Stay positive in the course ahead” were among Faustino’s first orders to troops.

Before ascending to the military’s top position, Faustino served as head of the recently- created AFP Joint Task Force Mindanao, acting commanding general of the Army, and head of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command who covers President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown Davao City.

Faustino replaced battle-wounded and medal of valor awardee Gen. Cirilito Sobejana as AFP chief.

Sobejana, who reached mandatory retirement age on Saturday, vowed to make up for lost time with his family but said he would gladly serve in the military again if he was younger. https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/07/31/new-afp-chief-outlines-plans-tells-troops-to-set-aside- politics/ 'Victory will be ours': Pialago says she's proud to be part of NTF-ELCAC

Published August 1, 2021, 12:17 PM by Ellson Quismorio Celine Pialago is equal parts proud and hopeful to be part of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or the NTF-ELCAC.

Pialago made this revelation on Facebook over the weekend by sharing a short video message from the task force, which was all parts fierce.

“Kung ang usapan ay para sa kaligtasan ng ating bayan at sa magandang kinabukasan ng ating kabataan, wala akong ibang nararamdaman kundi ang maging proud at mapuno ng pag-asa para sa hinaharap (If it’s about the safety of our nation and the good future of our youth, then I have no feelings other than proudness and hope),” the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) assistant secretary said.

“Wakasan natin ang karahasan at terrorismo sa ating bansa. Iligtas po natin ang kabataan, ang inyong mga anak, sa maling ideolohiya at paniniwala (Let’s end violence and terrorism in our country. Let’s save the youth, your children, from wrong ideologies and beliefs),” added the 30-year-old Pialago, who serves as the NTF-ELCAC spokesperson on public affairs and youth concerns.

The MMDA official was named as one of six new spokespersons of the task force only last May. In fact, the 36-second video message shared by Pialago featured all six new NTF- ELCAC spokespersons “roll call” style, as if it was their big introduction to the public.

The five other spokespersons are Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya (spokesperson on local government affairs, barangay development program, and international engagement); Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) Undersecretary Severo Catura (international affairs, peace process, human rights concerns); Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Jose Joel Sy Egco (mass media engagements, fact-checker); National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Caraga Regional Director Marlon Bosantog (legal Affairs, Indigenous Peoples concerns); and Gaye Florendo (assistant spokesperson on NTF-ELCAC public affairs and on Indigenous Peoples concerns).

In the video message, the NTF-ELCAC condemned the actions of the “heartless communist terrorists” in the past five decades, and at the same time expressed confidence that Filipinos would overcome them if they unite against these foes of the state. https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/01/victory-will-be-ours-pialago-says-shes-proud-to-be-part-of-ntf-elcac/

People’s organization head withdraws support from Communist group Published 1 day ago on August 1, 2021 08:28 AM By Mario Supnad CAMP GEN. FLORENDO, La Union—The adviser and coordinator of a People’s organization withdrew his support from the communist underground movement over the weekend in Naguilian town.

Police authorities reported that Reggie Ligsay of Gusing Sur, Naguilian, La Union, the adviser and coordinator of Timpuyog dagiti Mannalon nga Umili ti Naguilian (TIMUN) and President of People Council for Change has turned his back on the underground movement.

The Regional Intelligence Unit 1, 801st ODI and 580th ACWW Wallace Air Station successfully convinced the Ilocano leader to withdraw his support.

“TIMUN is the underground organization of ANAK PAWIS in Naguilian, La Union,” said the report. “Signing of his oath of allegiance was done during the presence of personnel from MSWD, Naguilian MPS, LUPIU, 2nd LUPMFC, 80 1st ODI and 580th ACWW,” police said.

Ligsay is now under the custody of Naguilian PNP for debriefing. https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/08/01/peoples-organization-head-withdraws-support-from- communist-group/

PH, US conclude joint army exercise in Nueva Ecija ABS-CBN News Posted at Aug 01 2021 03:08 PM | Updated as of Aug 01 2021 08:59 PM MANILA - The Philippine Army and the US Army on Saturday concluded the 3-week bilateral "Salaknib" Exercise at Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, the military said.

A total of 400 personnel joined the exercise composed of 15 training events including urban operations, intelligence, combat engineers operations, medical planning, Military Police operations, K-9 operations, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense development.

It aims to develop the Philippine Army’s capabilities by "training in various warfighting functions all geared to achieving combined arms approach in any type of mission," the Philippine Army said in a statement Sunday.

"With the continuation of the Visiting Forces Agreement, both armies expect to continue with the exercise in the coming years," Philippine Army spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala said.

The VFA provides the legal framework under which US troops can operate on a rotational basis in the country and experts say without it other bilateral defense agreements, including the Mutual Defense Treaty, cannot be implemented.

President Rodrigo Duterte had restored the VFA after extending its suspension of abrogation thrice. Duterte last year unilaterally canceled the two-decade-old VFA, in an angry response to an ally being denied a visa. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/01/21/ph-us-conclude-joint-army-exercise-in-nueva-ecija

Miyembro ng PNP, kasapi umano ng Abu Sayyaf ABS-CBN News Posted at Aug 01 2021 04:57 PM Iprinesenta sa media nitong Agosto 1, 2021 si Masckur Adoh Patarasa, isang pulis na miyembro pala ng Abu Sayyaf Group.

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Isang miyembro ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang natuklasang miyembro umano ng Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Iprinesenta ngayong Linggo ni PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar si Masckur Adoh Patarasa na naaresto noong Biyernes sa isang joint police operation.

May kinahaharap na kasong kidnapping with serious illegal detention si Patarasa, na kilala rin bilang si alyas "Makong" o "Omair Sali Taib," sa isang korte sa Isabela City, Basilan, ayon kay Eleazar.

Si Patarasa ay isa rin umanong finance at logistics liaison officer ng Dawla Islamiya at ASG, at kasali sa Martial Law Arrest Order No. 1 noong Marawi siege noong 2017.

Lumabas sa imbestigasyon na binalak ni Patarasa na magpadala ng pondo sa mga ASG member na lumalaban sa Marawi.

Sinasabing bayaw rin ni Patarasa si Isnilon Hapilon, isa sa mga nanguna sa panig ng mga terorista sa Marawi siege.

Taong 2015 nang sumali sa PNP si Patarasa, na aktibong non-uniformed personnel sa Banguingui Municipal Police Station sa Sulu.

Ayon kay Eleazar, hihigpitan ang pag-screen sa mga aplikanteng papasok sa PNP.

"Kaya ayaw natin na makapasok sila sa palakasan or padrino system," ani Eleazar. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/01/21/pulis-natuklasang-miyembro-abu-sayyaf-group

Asean: PH takes on equal access, sea row posted August 02, 2021 at 01:00 am by Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja

The Philippines will raise the issue of equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines as well as the territorial disputes over the South China Sea when foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meet online Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

Pandemic recovery is among the topics that Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. will bring up during the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting that runs from Aug. 2 to 6, the DFA said.

ASEAN leaders who met in April committed to implement the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework for COVID-19.

Brunei, the current ASEAN chair, said it welcomed the decision to use the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund to procure vaccines for the people of the 10-nation bloc “as soon as possible.”

The ASEAN foreign ministers met as Filipino and American troops completed a three-week “Salaknib” exercise in Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Some 400 personnel joined the exercise composed of 15 training events including urban operations, intelligence, combat engineers, operations, medical planning, military police operations, K-9 operations, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense development.

"With the continuation of the Visiting Forces Agreement, both armies expect to continue with the exercise in the coming years," Philippine Army spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala said.

President Duterte dialed back his 2020 decision to terminate the VFA last week, after extending it three times.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the President's shifting stance on the VFA validated the position that foreign policy should be a shared power with the Senate. “Foreign policy is not exclusive to the President. It is a shared power with the Senate. It cannot be left to the President alone since it involves policy issues, and Congress is the policy-making body in our system of government,” Drilon said.

Drilon said the latest decision of the President to recall the termination of the VFA, after much hemming and hawing, proves that foreign policy is a function that cannot be left alone to the President.

After unilaterally terminating the VFA on Feb. 11, 2020, the President recalled his decision several times in June 2020, in November 2020 and in June 2021 until he decided to retract the termination last Friday.

Drilon noted that “the President’s latest action comes on the heels of the Supreme Court landmark ruling involving the President’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute, in which the justices affirmed the need for the Senate’s concurrence in the withdrawal from treaties and international agreements.”

In 2020, Senate President Vicente Sotto III along with Drilon, Senators Richard Gordon, Panfilo Lacson, Ralph Recto and Miguel Zubiri asked the Supreme Court to render a decision declaring that the withdrawal from or termination of a treaty or international agreement requires the concurrence of the Senate.

Drilon said he sees the restoration of the VFA as part of renewed efforts to strengthen the bilateral relations and military alliancebetween the Philippines and United States, who have shared decades of deeper bilateral relationship and diplomatic ties that are anchored on trust, respect and understanding.

Entered into force in 1999, he said the VFA served as the basis for the resumption of the bilateral military exercises between the Philippines and US and defined the treatment of United States troops and personnel visiting the Philippines.

He said the VFA also serves as the implementing agreement to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/361262/asean-ph-takes-on-equal-access-sea-row.html Chinese-Filipino general's role in strengthening PH-China ties cited

Published August 1, 2021, 2:44 PM by Roy Mabasa

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian has paid tribute to General Ye Fei, also known as Sixto Mercado Tiongco, who fought for China’s independence and helped in the founding of a “new China.”

Huang described Fei as “a soldier of distinction who devoted his who life to pursuing China’s remarkable achievements in the political, economic, and military field” during a ceremony at the memorial park in Tiaong, Quezon on Saturday, July 31, 2021. Fei was also credited for his role in strengthening China-Philippine relations and has been hailed as the emblem of the historic friendship between the two countries.

Huang’s tribute to the coincides with this year’s founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China and the 94thanniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army of China. Fei was born to Chinese national Yap Sun Uy and Francisca Mercado, a Filipina in Tiaong in May 7, 1914. He went to China to pursue his studies in 1919 and joined the Chinese struggle for liberation during his youth. He commanded the 10th Division of the People’s Liberation Army, the military district of Fujian, and the navy. He later became the governor of Fujian and Vice President of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/01/chinese-filipino-generals-role-in-strengthening-ph-china-ties-cited/

11 US senators denounce PH for ‘abuses’ posted August 02, 2021 at 12:25 am by Manila Standard

American senators urged the Biden government to condemn the human rights abuses committed by the Duterte government in the Philippines even as both countries welcomed the extension of the Visiting Forces Agreement that allows US soldiers on Philippine soil.

“We urge the Biden administration to stand with the people of the Philippines as they continue to fight for their universal human rights. The State Department should condemn the aforementioned abuses at the highest levels in our diplomatic engagements with Philippine government representatives, as well as publicly,” the senators said in a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The letter was written by Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, along with fellow Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Patrick Leahy from Vermont, Jeffrey A. Merkley of Oregon, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, and Chris Van Hollen from Maryland. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Senators Markey, Durbin, and Leahy had earlier been banned by Duterte from entering the Philippines after they sponsored a US travel ban on Filipino officials linked to the detention of Senator Leila de Lima.

“Maintaining a bilateral relationship such as this requires upholding shared values — the protection of human rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and vibrant democratic governance,” the senators said in a letter dated July 26.

“Yet, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has waged a multi-year extrajudicial, violent, and inhumane ‘war on drugs’ that has devastated communities and has been used as justification to target the independent press, political opponents, [and] human rights advocates, and compromise judicial due process.” The senators first flagged Duterte’s war on drugs, which has claimed the lives of at least 7,000 drug suspects according to government records. Human rights groups estimate that deaths related to the drug war reach around 30,000, including killings inspired by Duterte’s campaign.

“Allegations of extrajudicial police misconduct — including collaboration with vigilantes, fabricated reports, and planted evidence — are rampant. Opposition figures, journalists, and activists critical of the killing campaign frequently find themselves targeted by the Duterte government,” the senators noted.

They also flagged the Duterte government’s practice of red-tagging critics of the administration.

“The Terrorism Act, currently under review by the Philippines Supreme Court, is then used to persecute red-tagged groups,” the senators said.

The senators also stressed that Duterte’s government has targeted journalists, highlighting the Committee to Protect Journalists’ count of three murdered Filipino journalists in 2020, as well as the shutdown – with the help of the Duterte-controlled Congress – of ABS-CBN, the country’s biggest broadcaster.

This "pattern of silencing critics and shuttering space for democratic discourse,” the senators said, was exemplified in the jailing of Senator Leila de Lima and the government’s continued prosecution of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa.

The attacks against Ressa and Rappler, the senators said, is part of “a broad effort to silence independent voices and views critical of the government’s human rights abuses.”

“These cases lay bare the systemic and coordinated attempts to silence journalists, political opposition, and human rights defenders,” the senators said. The senators then posed questions to Blinken.

First, they asked whether the State Department has done anything about “the Philippine government’s systemic human rights violations, including the coordinated push to implement the Anti-Terrorism Act”

They then asked if the State Department is considering using the Magnitsky Act against officials implicated in drug war killings and human rights violations, including in the detention of De Lima.

They asked whether Blinken had engaged the Philippine government about De Lima’s detention as well as the prosecution of Ressa. Blinken was also asked if he had communicated to the Philippine government that red-tagging is “an unacceptable practice in violation of international human rights.” As for sanctions, the senators asked Blinken if he has reviewed the United States’ security assistance to the Philippine National Police, and its sale of weapons to the Philippine military, and whether he is considering barring Duterte officials “involved in significant corruption.”

The senators also asked Blinken whether he would discuss the human rights situation in the Philippines in the upcoming Summit for Democracy and other discussions of human rights in the Indo-Pacific. https://manilastandard.net/news/national/361256/11-us-senators-denounce-ph-for-abuses-.html

US economic growth decelerates, made worse by decoupling from China

By Wen ShengPublished: Aug 01, 2021 04:58 PM

The US government reported that its economy grew 6.5 percent on an annualized basis from April to June in 2021 - about two percentage points lower than what was forecast by most economists. Obviously, the much-vaunted strong recovery from the deep recession in 2020, caused by Donald Trump's porous measures to deal with Covid-19, has hit a snag.

It is safe to say the world's largest economy is facing serious problems, although the US Federal Reserve and the Biden administration won't admit the scale of the challenge. Over-flooding the country's financial system with fiscal stimulus as well as the Fed-printed liquidity has truly buoyed Wall Street with the stock indexes skyrocketing for many months, but it has largely failed to fire up the US economy to accelerate, consistently.

A negative side-effect of the over-flooding policy has now emerged, as inflation is rapidly raising its ugly head, starting to eat into the purchasing power of millions of middle class and poor American households. The consumer price index surged to 5.4 percent in June from 5 percent in May - more than twice of the 2.5 percent benchmark reportedly allowed or tolerated by the US central bank.

The current US economy is not built on solid foundations. Consumer spending is peaking, but service sectors remains depressed. Wealth is being concentrated among the small group of top 1-percent super rich families. To make things worse, Americans' personal savings rate dropping sharply, tumbling to only $1.97 trillion at the end of June.

Facing a resurgence of the Delta variant of coronavirus from America's south to north and constantly growing new cases of infection, hospitalization and death, many state and city governments are again announcing stricter social distancing rules, though full-blown lockdowns are unlikely. The new Delta wave will likely inhibit the continued US economic revival, battering the reemergence of the services sector, outdoor sightseeing, dining, sporting and entertaining activities in particular.

Acknowledging Delta's danger, US President Biden, concerned about next year's mid-term elections, is urging for more stimulus measures and Democrats in the US Congress are working a new round of a massive $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill. Even if one half of that spending plan is approved finally, the financial system will be inundated with an even higher level of liquidity, which will inevitably drive up the country's inflationary pressure.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/1230204.shtml

Interview: Beijing Olympics Means ‘Patting Xi Jinping on the Back’ Amid Xinjiang, Tibet Horrors “If the Olympic Committee remains resolute, we should boycott it,” Rep. Chris Smith says of the Feb. 4-20 winter games in the Chinese capital. 2021-07-31 Rep. Chris Smith, a 21-term Republican congressman from New Jersey and co- chair of the Congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, is a long-time critic of the Chinese Communist Party’s human rights record. He spoke to Tashi Wangchuk of RFA’s Tibetan Service Friday about increasingly repressive Chinese policies toward Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong. He endorsed the determination made by the U.S. State Department in January that China’s treatment of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region constitute genocide, and said the term also applies to repressive policies in next-door Tibet. The situation in these long-troubled regions, along with the sharp decline in freedom in Hong Kong in the year since China imposed a harsh National Security Law on Hong Kong, make Beijing unfit to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, said Smith. He argued for pressure on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reconsider the decision, and called for a boycott in the event the games go on in the Chinese capital. This interview has been edited for length. 2022 Winter Olympics To march into Beijing, into an Olympic stadium, with big smiles, patting Xi Jinping on the back -- you know the genocide is his genocide. And you know, he's the one who said ‘show no mercy’ to the Muslim Uyghurs…and they haven't. (We must) very aggressively say to the IOC: “You cannot host an Olympic Games in the same country that is also committing a horrific genocide against Muslim Uyghurs and Kazakhs and other minorities.’ It's reminiscent of the 1936 Nazi Olympic Games, but in that case we didn't know as much then...We now know what's going on against the people in Xinjiang, and it is a genocide. It has been determined to be that by both Secretary (Mike) Pompeo and by Anthony Blinken, the secretary of state, and other countries...are now stepping up and saying it is indeed a genocide, and that is the complete elimination of the people in whole or in part. The five criteria described in the genocide convention, all of them are being realized horribly by the people of Xinjiang. If that doesn't work, frankly, if the Olympic Committee remains resolute, we should boycott it. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/olympics-genocide-07312021141743.html Japan-US ties must not harm China, Chinese envoy warns

• Ambassador takes aim at Tokyo’s ‘dismissive attitude’ on Xinjiang, Taiwan and Hong Kong • Practical action needed to show goodwill towards Beijing, he says

alliance with Washington must not undermine Beijing’s interests and Japan should take practical steps to show goodwill towards China, the Chinese ambassador to Tokyo has warned. Tokyo’s The warning from Chinese envoy Kong Xuanyou comes after Japan has appeared more vocal in its support for the United States’ efforts to work with its traditional allies to contain China over a range of issues, from human rights to regional security.

“Japan’s dismissive attitude towards Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong is especially apparent these days, and has seriously disturbed

China-Japan relations,”the Chinese foreign ministry quoted Kong as saying at a forum held by the International Academic Society for Asian Community on Friday. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3143388/japan-us-ties-must-not-harm-china- chinese-envoy-warns

The common interests behind China and the Taliban’s talks in Tianjin

• Beijing regards US policy in Afghanistan as a failure and is keen to protect its own interests as foreign troops withdraw • In addition to security concerns in its neighbouring Xinjiang region, China sees an expanded role for its belt and road plan

No sooner had US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman left Tianjin after tense talks with Chinese officials last week, than a Taliban delegation arrived atthe same hotel from Afghanistan.It was a clear message that Beijing will forge its own strategy with its neighbour after calling the US policy towards the war- torn country a failure.

As the September deadline for the withdrawal of US troops approaches, relations between China and the resurgent group were elevated on Wednesday, with Beijing’s assurance that it will back the Taliban’s role in Afghanistan’s security and reconstruction. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3143125/common-interests-behind-china-and- talibans-talks-tianjin

Olympics-IOC has no plan to mark moment of silence on Hiroshima anniversary The International Olympic Committee does not plan to call for a moment of silence at the Tokyo Games on Aug. 6, the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, instead aiming to honour it in the Tokyo 2020 closing ceremony, organisers said on Sunday.

FILE PHOTO: International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach speaks during his visit at Hiroshima Memorial Museum in Hiroshima, Japan July 16, 2021. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS

01 Aug 2021 07:55PM TOKYO: The International Olympic Committee does not plan to call for a moment of silence at the Tokyo Games on Aug. 6, the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, instead aiming to honour it in the Tokyo 2020 closing ceremony, organisers said on Sunday.

Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui sent a letter dated July 28 to IOC President Thomas Bach asking for a moment of silence to be observed.

"I am hoping that athletes and Games-related people will touch upon the reality of the atomic bombing in some way," Matsui said in the letter, made public on the city's web site.

"I wonder if you could call on them to observe a moment of silence at 8:15 a.m. on Aug. 6 at the athletes' village or wherever each of them is and participate in the Peace Memorial Ceremony to be held in Hiroshima on that day in their minds."

The U.S. atomic bombing occurred at 8:15 a.m. on Aug 6, 1945, which reduced the city to ashes and killed some 140,000 people by the end of the year.

Bach visited Hiroshima on July 16, a week before the Tokyo Olympics' opening ceremony, laid a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park cenotaph and called the Games a "beacon of hope" for a peaceful future. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/olympics-ioc-has-no-plan-to-mark-moment-of-silence- on-hiroshima-anniversary-15355770

Senior Japanese Embassy diplomat recalled home after disparaging remarks against Moon Posted : 2021-08-01 09:35 Updated : 2021-08-01 09:35

A senior Japanese Embassy diplomat in Seoul has been recalled home after causing a stir with remarks disparaging South Korean President Moon Jae-in's efforts to improve relations between the two countries, a Japanese paper reported Sunday.

Hirohisa Soma, deputy chief of mission at the embassy, has been criticized both in Seoul and Tokyo after telling a South Korean reporter during a lunch meeting last month that Moon's efforts to improve ties with Tokyo were tantamount to "masturbation."

On Sunday, Japan's Nikkei Shimbun newspaper reported that Soma has been ordered to return home, saying the No. 2 post at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul has usually been replaced every two years and it's been over two years since Soma took the job.

Soma's remarks have added to tensions between Seoul and Tokyo over the long- simmering issues of Japan's wartime forced labor and sexual slavery, as well as its restrictions on exports of key industrial materials to South Korea.

The gaffe has been cited as one of the reasons that affected Moon's decision not to visit Tokyo for the opening of the Olympic Games, which dashed hopes for a potential summit with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on the occasion. (Yonhap) https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/08/120_313145.html

Kim Jong-un hints at ‘hardships’, stoking fears of famine’s return amid North Korea’s pandemic isolation

• Three times this year, Kim has indicated his country is in trouble, raising the spectre of the deadly ‘Arduous March’ of the 1990s • Sealed borders, severe weather, and the presumed spread of Covid-19 have combined to create a ‘gravely serious’ humanitarian situation, say observers

North Korea’s autocratic leadership is not known for drawing attention to problems within the country, where a popular children’s song proclaims “we have nothing to envy in the world”.

So when Kim Jong-un used a recent commemoration of the 1950-1953 Korean war to acknowledge the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns had sparked a “crisis of hardships” to rival the conflict, aid groups took notice.

Kim’s acknowledgement of growing deprivation late last month was the third such public acknowledgement this year, including an admission in June that the secretive country’s food situation was “getting tense”. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3143300/kim-jong-un-hints-hardships- stoking-fears-famines

Thailand Begins Crackdown On ‘Fake News’ Amid Rising Criticism Of Government August 1, 2021 BenarNews 0 Comments

By BenarNews By Nontarat Phaicharoen

The Thai government’s crackdown on alleged fake news went into effect Friday, with the order published in the Royal Gazette stating that its purpose is to prevent news or information that causes “public confusion” or “undermines the state’s security.”

Representatives of six leading Thai media associations submitted a petition to the government spokesman on Friday protesting the new measures. These allow the prosecution of journalists, celebrities and social-media administrators suspected of spreading fake news.

The associations, in a joint statement earlier this week, had condemned the order as a crackdown on free speech.

The order says it prevents people “from presenting news, selling or disseminating papers or print other materials which cause public fears, or distorted information to cause public confusion during the emergency state and undermine the state’s security or public morality in areas under the emergency decree.”

Under the order, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has been empowered to get details about people or groups spreading allegedly distorted information from internet service providers (ISPs) and terminate their connections for spreading alleged fake news.

Then, “the NBTC shall promptly file the information to the national police bureau to begin legal action,” said the order signed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha.

“Should any ISPs refuse to comply, the NBTC shall take against action against them.”

The order was made under the provisions of the current emergency, which was imposed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha in March 2020 and will last least until at least the end of September.

It came after a Facebook post on Tuesday in which Prayuth said there had been widespread dissemination of false information or distortions of officials’ quotes by traditional and social-media users, leading to public misunderstanding. “The Digital Economy and Society Ministry, the police’s Technology Crime Suppression Division and the national police bureau must take measures to promptly and attentively prosecute major disseminators – be [they] the media, celebs or Facebook page administrators – not small users,” Prayuth had said on Facebook.

Chaiyawut Thanakmanusorn, the minister of digital economy and society (DES), last week warned celebrities and actors to stop using social media to attack the government, saying it could be considered fake news. https://www.eurasiareview.com/01082021-thailand-begins-crackdown-on-fake-news-amid-rising- criticism-of-government/

What's happening in Myanmar, six months after the coup? Myanmar's junta has consolidated its position after a lethal crackdown on street protests, which have continued in a limited form despite the violence AFP/STR

01 Aug 2021 12:35PM BANGKOK: Myanmar has endured six months of turmoil since the military deposed Aung San Suu Kyi's government and ended the country's decade-old experiment with democracy.

The junta has consolidated its position after a lethal crackdown on street protests, which have continued in a limited form despite the violence.

AFP takes a look at the current state of play inside Myanmar:

- What's happened since the coup?

The military has killed almost 1,000 people in a running crackdown on dissent, a local monitoring group says, with thousands more arrested.

Tens of thousands of civil servants and other workers have either been sacked for joining protests or are still on strike in support of a nationwide civil disobedience campaign.

A coronavirus outbreak has overwhelmed the healthcare system, with many hospitals empty due to a work boycott by pro-democracy medical staff.

"The country has fallen into chaos and is close to complete collapse," Manny Maung of Human Rights Watch told AFP. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/myanmar-junta-coup-aung-san-suu-kyi-15352212

DESCENT I NTO DARKNESS Six months after Myanmar’s military coup, citizens are fighting for their freedom and health against the regime that seized power and halted a decade of democratization.

Six months after Myanmar’s military toppled the government of Aung San Suu Kyi, rejecting without proof her party’s landslide November 2020 re-election victory as fraudulent, the country of 54 million has slid back into the darkness that the 76-year-old leader’s fledgling, flawed democracy was trying to help it escape.

The State Administrative Council, the junta established by the Feb. 1 coup d’état leader Min Aung Hlaing, has been met with widespread public rejection and has responded with lethal military force to crush street protests, and mass arrests to quell walkouts by white collar professionals. More than 900 civilians have been killed and more than 5,400 are in detention.

Myanmar’s coup crippled an already outmatched government fight against the coronavirus, just as a vicious third wave of the pandemic hit a country racked with conflict, short of food, and scattered with hundreds of thousands of refugees.

With its neglect of COVID-19, its repression of the media, and its economic mismanagement, critics liken the State Administrative Council to the State Law and Order Restoration Council, the junta’s name from 1988 to 1997, a notoriously harsh period in the army’s fifty- year rule that ended in 2011, when the military went partially back to the barracks for a decade.

MALIGN NEGLECT OF COVID-19

Yangon residents wait to fill up empty oxygen canisters outside a factory on July 14, 2021, as the number of COVID-19 cases surges. (AFP)

Myanmar’s struggle with a third wave of COVID-19 infections is hamstrung by hospitals that turn away all but the most seriously ill, forcing many patients to treat themselves at home amid a critical shortage of medical supplies, including oxygen. The pandemic had claimed more than 8,500 lives as of July 30.

Critics say the junta is accused of making matters worse by denying entry to patients at army-run public hospitals, arresting doctors and health care workers who had protested against the regime, obstructing civil society volunteer aid workers, and restricting sales of oxygen. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/special/myanmar-unrest/six-month.html

Myanmar military ruler pledges elections, cooperation with ASEAN FILE PHOTO: Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's armed forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivers his speech at the IX Moscow conference on international security in Moscow, Russia June 23, 2021. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS

01 Aug 2021 12:29PM(Updated: 02 Aug 2021 11:25AM) BANGKOK: Myanmar's military ruler Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday (Aug 1) again promised new multi-party elections and said his government is ready to work with any special envoy named by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He also said a state of emergency would lifted by August 2023, extending the military's initial timeline given when it deposed Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb 1.

He spoke in a televised address six months after the army seized power from a civilian government after disputed elections won by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party, which he described as "terrorists".

"We will accomplish the provisions of the state of emergency by August 2023," he said.

"I pledge to hold multiparty elections without fail."

The general's announcement would place Myanmar in the military's grip for nearly two-and-a- half-years - instead of the initial one-year timeline the junta announced days after the coup.

"Myanmar is ready to work on ASEAN cooperation within the ASEAN framework including the dialogue with the ASEAN Special Envoy in Myanmar," Min Aung Hlaing added.

The army seized power from the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi after her ruling party won elections that the military argued were tainted by fraud. The country's electoral commission dismissed this allegation.

Across Myanmar small groups of demonstrators marched on Sunday. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/myanmar-military-ruler-elections-min-aung-hlaing-coup- asean-15352784

Pak says it wields ‘modest leverage’ on Taliban; refuses to take in refugees

• Yusuf who was addressing a news conference at the Pakistan embassy also highlighted that Pakistan was working to ensure that tensions in Afghanistan do not lead to more bloodshed. Written by Shankhyaneel Sarkar | Edited by Poulomi Ghosh, Hindustan Times, New Delhi PUBLISHED ON AUG 01, 2021 10:50 PM IST Pakistan’s national security advisor Moeed Yusuf on Saturday said that Pakistan is not ready to accept more refugees from Afghanistan. He also appealed to the international community that a secure area in Afghanistan must be created to keep the displaced people inside the war-torn nation instead of pushing them into Pakistan. Yusuf who was addressing a news conference at the Pakistan embassy also highlighted that Pakistan was working to ensure that tensions in Afghanistan do not lead to more bloodshed. He along with director-general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed also met US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan at the White House to discuss the issues concerning the situation in Afghanistan. “If a situation arises, it is the responsibility of the international community to create a secure area inside Afghanistan. Why make them dar-ba-dar (homeless)? Make arrangements for them inside their country. Pakistan does not have the capacity to take more refugees,” Yusuf said, according to news agency PTI. Yusuf and the ISI director-general arrived in the US on July 27 to meet security officials which, as Yusuf said, is not a high-level political visit. Pakistan needed ‘direct technical input', he said. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pak-says-it-wields-modest-leverage-on-taliban-refuses- to-take-in-refugees-101627837712367.html

New Zealand apologizes for historic raids on Pacific people

INTERNATIONAL by: NICK PERRY, Associated Press

Posted: Aug 1, 2021 / 04:37 AM EDT / Updated: Aug 1, 2021 / 04:37 AM EDT

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, center right, is hugged during a ceremony in Auckland, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, to formally apologize for a racially charged part of the natio Raids. The Dawn Raids are known as the time when the Pasifika people were targeted for deportation in the mid-1970s during aggressive home raids by authorities to find, convict andn’s dep historyort visa known overstayers. as the Dawn (Brett Phibbs/New Zealand Herald via AP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Ardern sat motionless Sunday as members of the Pacific Island community pulled a large white mat over her head,— New completely Zealand’s covering Prime Minister her. Moments Jacinda later they removed it and embraced her. https://www.news10.com/news/international/new-zealand-apologizes-for-historic-raids-on-pacific- people/

The IOC Should Stop Lying to Itself About the Beijing Olympics Allowing the Games to happen alongside an ongoing genocide would be a disaster.

By Kelsang Dolma, a J.D. candidate at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

A Tibetan activist holds a placard and a Tibetan flag during a protest against Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in front of the Olympics Museum in Lausanne on June 23.FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

AUGUST 1, 2021, 8:00 AM

As the Tokyo Olympics wrap up, thanks to the COVID-19 delay, the Beijing Winter Olympics are just a year away. There is no way to sugarcoat this: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic athletes will be de facto accomplices in police brutality if they take part in the Beijing Olympics. The holding of the 2022 Beijing Olympics not only condones an ongoing genocide—it invites further repression for some of China’s most oppressed populations.

The complicity of the IOC in supporting authoritarian regimes goes back a long way— and the last Olympics in Beijing were controversial enough. The 2008 Summer Olympics began only months after the 49th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising, observed every March to mark a major Tibetan revolt against Chinese occupation. In 2008, spurred by the Olympics, what began https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/08/01/the-ioc-should-stop-lying-to-itself-about-the-beijing-olympics/

Towards A Rigorous Code Of Conduct For The South China Sea – Analysis August 1, 2021 East Asia Forum 0 Comments

By East Asia Forum By Aristyo Rizka Darmawan*

The South China Sea became an important highlight of the recent ASEAN Defence Meeting-Plus. All delegations agreed that maintaining peace and security in the disputed area is one of the most important issues in the region and called for unity in theMinisters’ defence sector. To keep the peace it will be necessary to preserve the momentum in the negotiations for a South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC). COC negotiations have already been delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indonesia had proposed hosting negotiations in person this July, but due to the worsening second wave of COVID-19 in Jakarta, it will was postponed. It is unlikely that the COC will meet previously expected deadlines and conclude later this year. As Evan Laksmana argued, ‘parties should create a high-quality guideline rather than rushing through some artificial timeline proposed by China’. Even though the substance of the negotiations is confidential, there seems to be at least four important legal issues that must be considered and addressed going forward. First, firm agreement needs to be established on the geographic scope of the COC. It is important that the COC be limited to legitimate overlapping claims under international law. All negotiating parties should propose their claimed area based on the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including the maximum claim for exclusive economic zones being 200 nautical miles from baseline.

The COC should not negotiate any claim that is not legal under international law, including under UNCLOS. Any claim based on a historical basis not recognised under UNCLOS should not unacceptable, including China’s nine-dash line, which the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration tribunal ruled as illegal. The COC’s scope will be important to avoid formalising any claim that has already been ruled illegal. Second, whether the COC is legally binding on parties is the second significant issue. The COC will be more effective if all parties consider it to be a legally binding document. This will create certainty and provide a clear dispute settlement mechanism for violations. To agree upon a legally binding document will not be easy. Some claimants would prefer the COC to serve more as a guideline rather than as a legally binding document. Third, regardless of whether the COC becomes legally binding, it will be crucial to build monitoring and compliance mechanisms to ensure its effectiveness. The success of the COC should be measured by the extent to which the COC is adhered to by all parties.

The COC could establish a body that has the authority to gather non-compliance information. This independent body would need to consist of representatives of all parties to be trusted and report regularly on COC compliance.

Establishing such a body will involve decisions on who can report information regarding non-compliance, including if civil society, non-governmental organisations and fishermen from any state can report directly to the body, or whether access will be limited to government officials. https://www.eurasiareview.com/01082021-towards-a-rigorous-code-of-conduct-for-the-south-china- sea-analysis/

UK's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier pictured in South China Sea

By Brad Lendon, CNN Updated 1135 GMT (1935 HKT) July 30, 2021

US Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 conducts flight deck operations onboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in the South China Sea on July 27. Hong Kong (CNN)The South China Sea has been a hotbed of naval activity this week, with a British aircraft carrier strike group, an American surface action group, and forces from China's People's Liberation Army all staging exercises in the contested waterway.

The British Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has been the center of attention, with state-run Chinese media outlets and diplomats accusing Britain of stirring up trouble in the disputed waters at the behest of the United States. In a statement provided to CNN, a spokesperson from Britain's Ministry of Defense said the carrier strike group was lawfully navigating the South China Sea, "just as one third of global shipping does on an annual basis." The statement added the strike group was taking the most direct route through international waters to conduct exercises with allies and partners in the Philippine Sea. "As the Defense Secretary said to United Kingdom Parliament back in April, we are not going to go to the other side of the world to be provocative. We will be confident, but not confrontational," said the spokesperson's statement. On Friday, a series of photos posted on the United States Navy's website showed US Marine Corps jets involved in operations off the British carrier, with the dateline of the South China Sea. "A free and open Indo-Pacific region that is peaceful and stable is vital to ensuring greater prosperity for the region and the world," the photo captions said. US Marine Corps F-35B fighter jets operate off the UK aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in the South China Sea on July 27. Largest deployment in a generation Ten US F-35 warplanes are deployed aboard the British carrier, the byproduct of an agreement between Washington and London to harmonize and integrate the operation of their aircraft carrier fleets. A US Navy destroyer and Dutch frigate are also part of the strike group. In a previous statement, Britain's Ministry of Defense described the strike group as the largest concentration of maritime and air power to leave the UK in a generation. The group sailed from Britain in May and is expected to go as far as South Korea before heading back home in the fall. Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory. Beginning in 2014, it has worked to turn numerous obscure reefs and sandbars throughout the waterway into man-made artificial islands heavily fortified with missiles, runways and weapons systems, prompting outcry from other governments with competing claims. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/30/asia/south-china-sea-military-activity-hms-queen-elizabeth-intl- hnk-ml/index.html

The Observer view on the Royal Navy’s operation in the South China Sea | Observer editorial https://asiapost.live/the-observer-view-on-the-royal-navys-operation-in-the-south-china-sea-observer- editorial/

US Warships Escort Oil Tanker Attacked In Indian Ocean August 1, 2021 VOA 0 Comments

By VOA The U.S. Navy said Saturday two American warships were escorting an Israeli-operated oil tanker to a safe port after it was attacked Thursday off the coast of Oman, killing two crew members.

The tanker, the Mercer Street, is a Liberian-flagged, Japanese-owned vessel, managed by Zodiac Maritime.

The U.S. Central Command said in a statement that American navy explosives experts are aboard the tanker to ensure the safety of the crew. The command also said the U.S. Navy is “prepared to support an investigation into the attack,” which it said may have been a drone attack.

“Initial indications clearly point to a UAV-style [drone] attack,” the command said.

Though no one has yet claimed responsibility, Israel’s foreign minister Friday accused Iran of launching the drone strike. Iran has not responded to Israel’s allegation.

The company did not provide details about the attack, saying only that the incident was being investigated.

In recent months, attacks on several ships with Israeli connections have been blamed on Iran by the U.S. and Israel.

Israel also has been accused of attacking Iranian nuclear facilities and military posts in Syria.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated recently as the U.S. has sought to restore the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a move that Israel opposes. The original deal forced Iran to significantly scale back its nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other world powers.

Former President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, however, citing what he said was its apparent ineffectiveness, causing Iran to ramp up its nuclear programs the following year.

The tanker was traveling through the northern Indian Ocean with no cargo on board when the attack occurred off the coast of Oman, Zodiac said. The company’s most recent statement said that the ship is now sailing to a “safe location with a U.S. naval escort.”

Zodiac Maritime is led by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes to be $11.4 billion. His shipping firm owns and operates more than 160 ships. https://www.eurasiareview.com/01082021-us-warships-escort-oil-tanker-attacked-in-indian-ocean/

Iraq troop withdrawal deal marks latest phase in US shift to Asia-Pacific

• This week’s agreement to pull all combat soldiers out of the country comes as the Biden administration focuses on China • Middle East will still play an important role in Washington’s strategic thinking and the armed forces maintain a large presence in other parts of the region

The recent US announcement that it will pull combat troops out of Iraq continues its shift of focus towards the Asia-Pacific as China becomes its top priority.

US President Joe Biden and visiting Iraqi prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi agreed on Monday that American combat forces in Iraq will be withdrawn by the end of the year, with the US shifting into an advisory and support role in the fight against Islamic State.

“Our role in Iraq … it’s just to be available, to continue to train, to assist, to help and to deal with Isis as it arrives. But we’re not going to be, by the end of the year, in a combat mission,” Biden said. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3143328/iraq-troop-withdrawal-deal-marks- latest-phase-us-shift-asia

Justice Department: Russians hacked US federal prosecutors BYTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS AUGUST 2, 2021 WASHINGTON—The Russian hackers behind the massive SolarWinds cyberespionage campaign broke into the e-mail accounts of some of the most prominent federal prosecutors’ offices around the country last year, the Justice Department said.

The department said 80% of Microsoft e-mail accounts used by employees in the four US attorney offices in New York were breached. All told, the Justice Department said 27 US attorney offices had at least one employee’s e-mail account compromised during the hacking campaign.

The Justice Department said in a statement Friday that it believes the accounts were compromised from May 7 to Dec. 27, 2020. Such a timeframe is notable because the SolarWinds campaign, which infiltrated dozens of private-sector companies and think tanks as well as at least nine US government agencies, was first discovered and publicized in mid-December.

The Biden administration in April announced sanctions, including the expulsion of Russian diplomats, in response to the SolarWinds hack and Russian interference in the 2020 US presidential election. Russia has denied wrongdoing.

Jennifer Rodgers, a lecturer at Columbia Law School, said office e- mails frequently contained all sorts of sensitive information, including case strategy discussions and names of confidential informants, when she was a federal prosecutor in New York. “I don’t remember ever having someone bring me a document instead of e-mailing it to me because of security concerns,” she said, noting exceptions for classified materials.

The Administrative Office of US Courts confirmed in January that it was also breached, giving the SolarWinds hackers another entry point to steal confidential information like trade secrets, espionage targets, whistleblower reports and arrest warrants.

The list of affected offices include several large and high-profile ones like those in Los Angeles, Miami, Washington and the Eastern District of Virginia.

The Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, where large numbers of staff were hit, handle some of the most prominent prosecutions in the country.

“New York is the financial center of the world and those districts are particularly well known for investigating and prosecuting white-collar crimes and other cases, including investigating people close to the former president,” said Bruce Green, a professor at Fordham Law School and a former prosecutor in the Southern District.

The department said all victims had been notified and it is working to mitigate “operational, security and privacy risks” caused by the hack. The Justice Department said in January that it had no indication that any classified systems were affected. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/02/justice-department-russians-hacked-us-federal- prosecutors/

PLA flattops, advanced warplanes celebrate China's Army Day Aircraft carrier Liaoning, amphibious assault ship Hainan explore new operational methods

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Aug 01, 2021 07:29 PM Updated: Aug 01, 2021 07:48 PM

Displaying the Chinese military's tremendous development achievements to celebrate this year's Army Day on Sunday, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Army, Navy and Air Force demonstrated their most powerful weapons and equipment including warships and warplanes, with Chinese flattops recently conducting exercises involving the exploration of new operational methods.

Celebrating the 94th founding anniversary of the PLA on Sunday, the PLA Navy released a video on its social media account introducing some of its large warships, including three flattops, namely the aircraft carrier Liaoning, the aircraft carrier Shandong and the amphibious assault ship Hainan.

All three flattops recently went out to sea for exercises, media reports showed

These exercises were held to explore new operational methods, as the combat- ready Liaoning aimed to enhance operational efficiency, and the newly commissioned Shandong and the Hainan made strides to reach operational capabilities, analysts said.

For the first time, an all-female crew independently completed a support mission of dispatching helicopters on the flight deck of the Liaoning during a recent exercise, js7tv.cn, a news website affiliated with the PLA, reported on Friday.

The group of five dispatched Z-8 and Z-9 carrier-borne helicopters, the report footage showed.

This was the first time an official media report revealed that the Liaoning had recently set sail for exercises, observers noted.

Female crew members are careful and patient. These advantages are finding them more positions in not only the Navy but also in other military services, as modern combat systems are becoming technically more sophisticated and require these personality characteristics, Shi Hong, executive chief editor of the Chinese magazine Shipborne Weapons, told the Global Times on Sunday.

They can also compete with male crew members and comprehensively boost the troops' combat capabilities, Shi said. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/1230231.shtml

Taiwan military to design new armored vehicle Combat vehicle will feature 105 mm cannon

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By Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense’s (MND) Armaments Bureau announced on Saturday (July 31) it plans to develop a combat vehicle armed with a 105-mm cannon that meets the Army’s combat requirements.

The National Audit Office’s 2020 budget report showed that the Army Command originally chose a 120-mm gun for its new armored vehicle, CNA reported. However, after discussions with the development unit, the 105-mm gun was selected.

The Armament Bureau said that the 105-mm gun is still the most widely used cannon for armored vehicles around the world. Vehicles with a 120-mm gun are largely still in the developmental stage in many countries and have not yet been mass-produced, the bureau said.

The MND stated in March that the National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology had purchased two M68A2 tank cannons from the U.S. in order to study their design, as part of its development research for its own vehicle.

The ministry said it expects its new armored vehicle to be highly mobile, lightweight, and able to respond to incidents quickly. They will be assigned to the joint barracks to carry out first-line strikes and anti-armor missions, it added.

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4262141]

Military underusing combat simulation technology: report • By Wu Su-wei and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writer

The army has underutilized virtual and augmented-reality combat simulators meant to expand training and reduce costs, the National Audit Office said in its latest budget report.

Writing in a report as part of the government’s general budget, the office said that the army had 487 simulators, but many were underutilized or had been used inefficiently.

The Ministry of National Defense had justified the procurement of simulation devices by citing a need to improve weapons training without costly expenditures in ammunition and equipment wear and tear, the report said.

The army installed a number of tank simulators at the Northern Joint Simulation and Training Center and the Armor Training Command, both in Hsinchu County, it said.

The simulators were used 12 times for a total of 48 hours from 2018 to last year, it said.

The army’s two combat stress inoculation facilities and two adventure centers were utilized by military academies, as well as for examinations and testing, but not for the cited reason for their creation, which was training reserve units, the report said.

The Reserve Mobilization Leadership Training Center in New Taipei City has a 25m range for small arms marksmanship that cannot be used for rifle certification, which requires shooting targets at 175m, it said.

This has hindered advanced marksmanship training at the facility, requiring range officers to find ways to make up for the limitations of the facility, which could otherwise be augmented with the use of simulators, the report said.

The ministry has been notified that training resources must be utilized and units that lack access to simulators should be allowed to use those stationed with other units, it said.

Training standards for reservists need to be improved urgently, it added. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/08/02/2003761887

Clean-up cost dispute delays US base move

By Choi Si-young Published : Aug 1, 2021 - 17:32 Updated : Aug 1, 2021 - 18:23 • South Korea and the US have yet to reach consensus on clean-up costs for military bases that Washington is handing back to Seoul, despite years of talks, the first of which was held in 2002.

On Friday, the US military agreed to return about one-quarter of its Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul by early next year. This is the second time since last year the US military is giving up parts of its Yongsan base, the largest US installation here and one of 12 sites out of 80 it needs to hand over to Korea.

But Seoul is left wondering when it will take the remaining sites and if it could initiate development there, without a timeline to guide the projects, which involve putting up a signature park in Yongsan, like New York’s Central Park, and building residential, commercial facilities elsewhere.

Those plans have been essentially put on hold indefinitely until Seoul and Washington figure out how to burden clean-up costs and until the US military moves out to its new bases still under construction, according to Seoul officials familiar with the matter. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210801000220

Unification official calls for delay in Korea-U.S. military exercises

Contrary to the Blue House’s denial of plans to postpone Korea-U.S. joint military exercises this month, a Unification Ministry official recently called for a delay in the exercises for the sake of inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korea dialogue.

“It would be best to postpone the Korea-U.S. joint military exercises,” the official told a group of reporters Friday.

Though the official first cited the country's spike in Covid-19 infections as reason for the delay, he added that “engagement with the North can be actively pursued” following a delay in the military exercises.

“This is a prime time to engage the North through Korea-U.S. cooperation,” the official said. “By taking this opportunity, Korea and the United States may be able to bring about a very effective achievement for peace and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

Following the restoration of the inter-Korean hotline last week, the question of whether the Moon Jae-in government will plan an inter-Korean summit and whether it will consider postponing the U.S.-Korea military exercises scheduled in August has been floated by local media outlets.

The Blue House denied such plans.

“There have been no talks between the two Koreas on hosting an inter-Korean summit in person or virtually,” an official in the Blue House told the press on July 27, the day the hotline was restored.

The official emphasized that restoring the hotline and holding the U.S.-Korea joint military exercises “are two separate issues.”

The two Koreas re-instated their shared hotline last Tuesday, bringing back the direct communication channel that had been defunct for 413 days, after the North pulled the plug in protest of what it claimed were the South’s failures to prevent activists from sending propaganda leaflets across the border in June 2020. The direct line at Panmunjom dates back to 1971.

Pyongyang traditionally protests Seoul-Washington military drills, viewing them as war rehearsals.

Most recently, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has denounced the exercises during his meeting with commanders and political officers of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) in Pyongyang from July 24 to 27. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/08/01/national/northKorea/USKorea-joint-military- interKorean-dialogue-Unification-Ministry/20210801182400463.html

North Korean leader's sister warns Seoul against military drill with Washington FILE PHOTO: Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attends wreath-laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam March 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/Pool/File Photo

01 Aug 2021 08:45PM SEOUL: Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said on Sunday (Aug 1) that if South Korea carries out a planned joint military exercise with the United States it will damage the resolve of the two Koreas to rebuild relations, state media KCNA reported.

Kim Yo Jong also said a recent decision to restore hotlines between the two Koreas should not be seen as anything more than reconnecting "physical" ties, and that it would be "thoughtless" to assume that summits are around the corner.

Her comments come at a time when North and South Korea are in talks to hold a summit as part of efforts to restore relations. Washington and Seoul are due to hold a joint military drill later in August.

"Our government and military will keep a close eye on whether the South Koreans go ahead with the aggressive war exercises, or make a big decision. Hope or despair? That's not up to us," Kim Yo Jong said in a statement carried by KCNA.

The two Koreas, still technically at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a ceasefire, on Tuesday reconnected hotlines the North severed in June last year. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/kim-jong-un-sister-warns-seoul-military-drill-us-north- korea-15355910

Pakistan uses army to protect projects with Chinese workers after Dasu bus blast

• As authorities hunt down the culprits in the July 14 suicide attack, they are increasing security across all developments with Chinese workers • No militant group has taken responsibility for the bombing, which happened in a region not known to have terrorist activity

Two weeks after a bus blast in northern Pakistan killed 12 people, including nine Chinese nationals, Pakistani security authorities are hunting for two people and the silver Toyota Corolla car they were driving.

The pair are thought to have coordinated with a suicide bomber who rammed an explosives-laden silver Honda City car into one of two buses on its way to dam worksites near the remote town of Dasu on July 14.

The buses, each carrying more than 30 people, were being escorted by two vehicles belonging to paramilitary forces and were heading to the World Bank-funded Dasu hydropower project being constructed by China Gezhouba Group Corp (CGGC). https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3143253/pakistan-uses-army-protect-projects- chinese-workers-after-dasu

Russian Air Force Su-35 Jet Crashes in Sea, Pilot Ejects

• Our Bureau • 09:31 AM, August 1, 2021 • 5009

Su-35 fighter jet A Russian Air Force (RuAF) Su-35 fighter jet crashed during an exercise in the Sea of Okhotsk, Khabarovsk Territory on Saturday with the pilot ejecting safely. Interfax reported quoting the press service of the Eastern Military District: "On July 31, in the Khabarovsk Territory, during scheduled training flights, an engine failure occurred on a Su-35S aircraft. According to preliminary data, the aircraft crashed in the Sea of Okhotsk." "The pilot ejected, was promptly found by the search group and taken to the airfield. There is no threat to the pilot's health," the report said. An investigation of the incident is being carried out by a commission of the Eastern Military District. The Su-35 is the top-of-the-line fighter aircraft with the RuAF with a relatively low accident rate. Aside of Russia, it is in service with the Egyptian Air Force. https://www.defenseworld.net/news/30140/Russian_Air_Force_Su_35_Jet_Crashes_in_Sea__Pilot_Ejec ts#.YQfmgOgzbIU

Afghan forces battle to thwart Taliban assaults on key cities Fighting has surged in the months since early May when US-led foreign forces began a final withdrawal from Afghanistan that is now almost complete AFP/JAVED TANVEER

01 Aug 2021 01:38PM KANDAHAR, Afghanistan: Afghan government forces struggled against Taliban assaults on several major cities Sunday (Aug 1) as the insurgents stepped up a nationwide offensive that saw a key airport in the south come under rocket fire overnight.

Fighting has surged in the months since early May when US-led foreign forces began a final withdrawal from Afghanistan that is now almost complete.

Advertisement After seizing large tracts of rural territory and capturing key border crossings, the Taliban has now started to besiege provincial capitals.

Flights out of Kandahar, Afghanistan's second-largest city, were halted after rockets struck the airport before dawn.

Airport chief Massoud Pashtun said two rockets had hit the runway and repairs were underway with planes likely to resume service later on Sunday.

The facility is vital to providing the logistical and air support needed to keep the Taliban from overrunning the city, while also providing aerial cover for large tracts of southern Afghanistan. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/afghan-forces-battle-to-thwart-taliban-assaults-on-key- cities-15353476

Taliban rockets hit Kandahar airport, clashes intensify in Afghanistan

Afghan government officials said the rocket attacks to Kandahar airport in southern Afghanistan forced authorities to suspend all flights and that the runway was partially damaged. © Reuters

August 1, 2021 18:51 JST

KABUL (Reuters) -- Taliban fighters struck Kandahar airport in southern Afghanistan with at least three rockets overnight, the insurgent group's spokesman said on Sunday, adding that the aim was to thwart airstrikes conducted by Afghan government forces.

"Kandahar airport was targeted by us because the enemy were using it as a center to conduct air strikes against us," Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson, told Reuters.

Afghan government officials said the rocket attacks forced authorities to suspend all flights and that the runway was partially damaged. There were no immediate reports of casualties, they said.

Officials said the Taliban see Kandahar as a major strategic point, which they seem to be using as a control center for gaining complete dominance over five other provinces.

Clashes between Afghan forces and Taliban fighters have intensified in the cities of Kandahar and neighboring Helmand province.

In the west, Afghan officials said Taliban commanders were swiftly gaining control of strategic buildings around Heraat city, forcing civilians to remain in their homes.

The Taliban have been advancing in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American and NATO troops from the country and in recent weeks the fundamentalist Islamist group said they have captured over half of all Afghanistan's territory, including border crossings with Iran and Pakistan. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Taliban-rockets-hit-Kandahar-airport-clashes-intensify-in-Afghanistan

Delta variant community transmission may be already happening in Metro Manila — OCTA

Published August 1, 2021, 10:44 AM by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz

An expert of the OCTA Research on Sunday, Aug. 1, said that community transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Delta variant is likely already present in Metro Manila citing the increasing percentage of confirmed cases of the highly transmissible strain.

“We understand that the Department of Health (DOH) is the official body. They are confirming the Delta variant cases through genome sequencing. But for us in OCTA, we are an independent group, we can say that based on statistics, based on sampling, the current tally of Delta variant cases has increased to 25 percent from 15 percent. Actually, it was only 2 percent to 3 percent a month ago,” OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said in a mix of Filipino and English during a Teleradyo interview.

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“Based on the 25 percent, we know that cases are still increasing. The increase in the Delta variant is accelerating because one week ago it was only 15 percent. If we follow the 25 percent, that means that the National Capital Region (NCR) on average has 300 new Delta variant cases per day. If there are 300 cases per day, we can say there is already community transmission,” he added.

David however did not say whether or not the Delta variant is fuelling the surge in COVID- 19 cases in the country.

On Saturday, July 31, the DOH reported 8,147 new cases, bringing the total COVID-19 infections in the country to 1,588,965. https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/01/delta-variant-community-transmission-may-be-already-happening-in- metro-manila-octa/

CDC: Delta variant 'as contagious as chickenpox' #World #US #Coronavirus

Sunday , Aug. 1, 18:01

An internal document of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the Delta variant of the coronavirus appears to spread as easily as chickenpox.

The document quoted by US media outlets estimates that one carrier of the variant can infect between 5 and 9.5 people. This is much higher than the figure of 1.5 to 3.5 individuals for earlier variants.

The document says one chickenpox patient can infect around 8.5 people.

The paper cites overseas studies that indicate people infected with the Delta variant have a significantly higher risk of becoming seriously ill or dying.

Research that suggests vaccinated people may spread the virus is also cited. The document urges officials to "acknowledge the war has changed."

It also says although vaccination provides substantial protection against the virus, the CDC should "improve communications around individual risk among the vaccinated."

In response to the spread of the Delta variant, the CDC reversed its policy last month and started urging people, including those who have been fully vaccinated, to wear masks in public indoor settings. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210801_15/

Covid 19 coronavirus: Lambda variant may be more dangerous than Delta

1 Aug, 2021 12:17 PM5 minutes to read

news.com.au As the world battles against the Delta variant of Covid-19, it's a lesser-known mutation that has experts worried.

Lambda (also known as variant C37) was first seen in Peru in August 2020. Since then, it has spread to 29 countries, mainly in South America.

While research into the strain is still in its early days, data so far suggests a couple of key features of the variant which have experts worried. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/covid-19-coronavirus-lambda-variant-may-be-more-dangerous-than- delta/DYS3HGZQQMQOOVYHIB6DSZR5FI/

Covid-19: China considers plans to give most vulnerable people vaccine booster shots

• The country is examining whether it is necessary to give a third shot to the elderly, patients with underlying medical conditions or people in high-risk jobs • Shao Yiming, from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, says vaccine effectiveness declines over time but they still offer protection

China is considering plans to give vulnerable people a booster shot of Covid-19 vaccineas the Delta variantcauses a surge of cases around the world.

Shao Yiming, an infectious diseases researcher with the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said that so far it seemed that the immunity generated by all vaccine types decreased with time, but the body’s immune system retained the memory of how to fight the disease.

“From initial observations, there is no need for a booster shot yet for the general public that has completed vaccination within a year,” Shao said on Saturday. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3143386/covid-19-china-considers-plans-give- most-vulnerable-people

Cambodia to mix vaccines as booster shots to fight COVID-19 FILE PHOTO: A Cambodian army member vaccinates a person inside a red zone with strict lockdown measures, amidst the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 1, 2021. REUTERS/Cindy Liu

01 Aug 2021 03:49PM(Updated: 01 Aug 2021 04:36PM) PHNOM PENH: Cambodia will begin offering a booster shot against COVID-19, switching between the AstraZeneca and Chinese COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to fight the spread of the coronavirus in the Southeast Asian country.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, launching the vaccination campaign for 12-17 years old, said on Sunday (Aug 1) that the third dose will be offered to between 500,000 and one million frontline workers as a priority.

"People who have already been vaccinated with Sinopharm and Sinovac should be given AstraZeneca as the third booster dose," Hun Sen said in a speech which was broadcast on social media.

"For Cambodians who have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca, Sinovac should be given as the third dose," he added.

Hun Sen also said the country will purchase more AstraZeneca vaccines through COVAX for the booster shots and the recent US-funded Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be used to vaccinate indigenous peoples in northeastern Cambodia.

Cambodia has launched a lockdown in eight provinces bordering Thailand this week in a bid to prevent the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus in the Southeast Asian country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said this week that the Delta variant has been detected amongst migrants returning from Thailand through land borders and is now in the local community.

"We are racing against new variants. We must act today, and we must act fast to have no regrets tomorrow," said Li Ailan, WHO Representative to Cambodia, in a statement on Saturday. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/cambodia-covid-19-booster-shots-vaccine-15353972

What you need to know about the coronavirus right now Reuters

July 30 (Reuters) - Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:

Japan expands state of emergency as COVID-19 surge shadows Olympics

Japan decided on Friday to expand states of emergency to three prefectures near Olympic host Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka, as COVID-19 cases spike in the capital and around the country, overshadowing the Summer Games. read more

Tokyo, already under its fourth state of emergency since the pandemic began, on Friday announced 3,300 new cases, after a record 3,865 the day before. The surge is beginning to strain the medical system, with 64% of Tokyo's hospital beds available for serious COVID-19 cases already filled as of mid- week.

Japan has avoided a devastating COVID-19 outbreak, but is now struggling to contain the highly transmissible Delta variant, with daily cases nationwide topping 10,000 for the first time on Thursday.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Olympics organisers have denied there is any link between the Summer Games and the recent sharp spike in cases. vhttps://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/what-you-need-know-about- coronavirus-right-now-2021-03-02/

Mapping the Coronavirus Outbreak Across the World Updated: August 2, 2021, 7:21 PM GMT+8

Brazil 2,648 94,808 N/A N/A

U.K. 1,987 90,279 3,647.8 2.5

U.S. 1,857 105,988 1,472.3 2.8

France 1,658 91,850 N/A 6.0

Germany 1,141 47,046 834.4 8.0

Russia 1,110 43,894 1,129.2 8.1

India 324 24,167 354.3 0.5

Japan 121 7,514 138.1 13.1

Mainland China 3 67 N/A 4.3

Testing data as of July 30, 2021, 6:08 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 195 million people and killed more than 4.2 million globally 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.

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 198,425,551 Confirmed cases worldwide 4,227,258 Deaths worldwide Jurisdictions with cases confirmed as of August 2, 2021, 7:21 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. 613,228 35,004,592 Brazil 556,834 19,938,358 India 424,773 31,695,958 Mexico 241,034 2,854,992 Peru 196,438 2,113,201 Russia 157,496 6,230,482 U.K. 130,014 5,907,614 Italy 128,068 4,355,348 Colombia 120,998 4,794,414 France 112,075 6,210,058 Argentina 105,772 4,935,847 Indonesia 97,291 3,462,800 Germany 91,666 3,778,395 Iran 90,996 3,903,519 Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases Spain 81,486 4,447,044 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: 460,725 Jan 21, 2020 Aug 1, 2021 India New cases: 40,134 Jan 21, 2020 Aug 1, 2021 Iran 32,511 U.S. 25,141 U.K. 24,173 Russia 22,264 Brazil 20,503 France 19,600 Germany 1,553 Mainland China 96 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.

Note: Shown are the 15 places with the highest totals of confirmed cases, as of August 1. 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.

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

Covid-19 is continuing to spread around the world, with more than 198 million confirmed cases and more than 4.2 million deaths across nearly 200 countries.

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

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. 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. 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 outbreak 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? Of the 194 countries and territories administering vaccines and publishing rollout data, 67 are high-income nations, 101 are middle-income and 26 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. 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: 2 August 2021, 09:45 BST

Overall, China and India have administered the highest number of doses, with nearly 1.7 billion and about 470 million respectively. The US ranks third, with more than 346 million.

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, Uruguay and Bahrain top the list.

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

More Than 4.13 Billion Shots Given: Covid-19 Tracker In the U.S., 346 million doses have been administered Updated: August 2, 2021, 5:53 AM GMT+8

The biggest vaccination campaign in history is underway. More than 4.13 billion doses have been administered across 180 countries, according to data collected by Bloomberg. The latest rate was roughly 41.8 million doses a day.

In the U.S., 346 million doses have been given so far. In the last week, an average of 662,529 doses per day were administered.

World Map of Vaccinations More than 4.13 billion doses have been administered—enough to fully vaccinate 26.9% of the global population

• no data011025 50%of population covered Note: “Population covered” divides the doses administered for each vaccine type by the number of doses required for full vaccination. Data gathered from government agencies, public statements, Bloomberg interviews and the World Health Organization and Johns Hopkins University.

Enough doses have now been administered to fully vaccinate 26.9% of the global population—but the distribution has been lopsided. Countries and regions with the highest incomes are getting vaccinated more than 30 times faster than those with the lowest.

…but 19.8% of the world's population Note: Vaccine access calculations account for the number of doses needed for full protection; some vaccines require a two-dose regimen while others require just a single dose. Countries and regions are ordered by GDP per capita (PPP). When will life return to normal?

While the best vaccines are thought to be 95% effective, it takes a coordinated campaign to stop a pandemic. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious-disease official in the U.S., has said that vaccinating 70% to 85% of the U.S. population would enable a return to normalcy.

On a global scale, that’s a daunting level of vaccination. At the current pace of 41.8 million a day, it could take another year to achieve a high level of global immunity. Manufacturing capacity, however, is steadily increasing, and new vaccines by additional manufacturers are coming to market. The Path to Immunity Around the World Globally, the latest vaccination rate is 41,833,362 doses per day, on average. At this pace, it will take another 6 months to cover 75% of the population. Note: Immunity calculations take into account the number of doses required and the current rate of administration for each vaccine type. The “daily rate estimate” is a seven-day trailing average; interpolation is used for jurisdictions with infrequent updates. *Coverage may exceed 100% in some places, as shots may be administered to non-residents. Data are from Bloomberg’s Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker.

Israel was first to show that vaccines were bending the curve of Covid infections. The country led the world in early vaccinations, and by February more than 84% of people ages 70 and older had received two doses. Covid cases declined rapidly, and similar patterns of vaccination and recovery repeated in dozens of other countries.

This progress is under threat. The emergence of new strains, led by the highly transmissible delta variant, threatens renewed outbreaks. Around the world, new cases and hospitalizations are rising, and after 10 weeks of global declines in deaths, delta is driving a new uptick. It’s now a life-and-death contest between vaccine and virus.

The current slate of vaccines remains highly effective at preventing severe cases that lead to hospitalization and death, according to recent data from the U.S., U.K. and Israel. The vaccines are less effective at preventing mild cases of delta. The disproportionate toll that Covid is taking in under-vaccinated communities has led U.S. health officials to dub it the “pandemic of the unvaccinated.”

Vaccinations vs. Cases Covid rates have generally flattened or declined where vaccination rates are highest. Currently, 18 places have administered enough shots to cover at least 60% of the population.

Note: “People covered” divides the doses administered for each vaccine type by the number of doses required for full vaccination. Vaccine data from Bloomberg’s Covid-19 Tracker. Cases data: Johns Hopkins University.

Since the start of the global vaccination campaign, countries have experienced unequal access to vaccines and varying degrees of efficiency in getting shots into people’s arms. Before March, few African nations had received a single shipment of shots. In the U.S., 104.4 doses have been administered for every 100 people.

Delivering billions of vaccines to stop the spread of Covid-19 worldwide will be one of the greatest logistical challenges ever undertaken. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/?srnd=premium-asia

The PAF story By: Ramon J. Farolan - @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:04 AM August 02, 2021

For many years even prior to the grant of independence in July 1946, the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) and its successor, the Philippine Air Force (PAF), celebrated Air Force Day on the second of May each year. It was on this day in 1936 that Lt. William Lee, a US Army Air Corps pilot detailed with the PAAC, test flew a Stearman bi-plane No. 36-2, over Zablan Field in what is now Quezon City. The airstrip near Camp Aguinaldo was named after Lt. Porfirio Zablan, one of the first batch of Filipino Constabulary officers selected for flight training. Zablan would perish in a snowstorm just a few days before completing an advanced flying course in San Antonio, Texas. What made the flight particularly significant was the fact that the Stearman flown was the first to be purchased by the Commonwealth government and assembled here for use by the PAAC. Lee who has been dubbed by many old- the US Thirteenth Air Force based at Clark Air Base, Pampanga. timers as the “Father of the PAF” eventually became commander of ADVERTISEMENT In 1986, after the Edsa revolution, the PAF marked its golden anniversary (1936 1986) with the Blue Diamonds acrobatic team returning to the skies after some – years of absence. President Cory Aquino was the guest of honor while Gen. Fidel Ramos was the new AFP chief of staff. Air Force Day in 1986 was extra special not only because it marked the golden jubilee of the organization but also because the Air Force had played a major role in the uprising that restored democracy to the country. The defection of then Col. Antonio Sotelo and others with helicopters from the 15th Strike Wing helped turn the tide in favor of the Enrile-Ramos forces holed up at Camp Crame during the critical days of February 1986.

Three years later, in 1989, President Cory Aquino signed Presidential Proclamation No. 397, moving Air Force Day from May 2 to July 1. Two reasons were cited for effecting the change: First, the PAF wanted to conform with the general practice of celebrating the attainment of major service command status. By virtue of Executive Order No. 94 which took effect on July 1, 1947, the PAAC was redesignated as the PAF and raised to major service command level. Second,

est flight of an American pilot during the Commonwealth period nationalist sentiments called for the Air Force to “disengage itself from its colonial was hardly the proper occasion for commemorating Philippine Air Force day. moorings.” The t

https://opinion.inquirer.net/142682/the-paf-story

SWS misinforms the public on South China Sea issue

By Rigoberto Tiglao

August 2, 2021 2520

I HAVE pointed out several times before that the Social Weather Stations (SWS) is one of the most nefarious propaganda tools of the ruling class. It did so again recently, serving the needs of the oligarchic triad desperate to continue pressuring China to allow it to extract gas in the Reed Bank, which Vietnam and China also claim.

Misinforming its respondents on what the arbitration ruling was, the SWS claimed in its June 2021 poll that Filipinos "clearly favor stronger action to assert the country's right in the West Philippine Sea as per the 2016 decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)." But its poll questions, as I discuss below, present fallacies that could only have led to that result.

The poll was funded by the Stratbase ADR Institute, financed by former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario, who pushed for the filing of the arbitration case with China in 2013. Del Rosario's wealth - and he makes at least P200 million a year - has mainly come from his directorships in the firms of First Pacific Co., which led the triad whose gas-extraction project in the Reed Bank was blocked by China in 2011. SWS does legitimate surveys that reflect public opinion when the questions are not ambiguous and are clear-cut such as who would the respondent vote for or if he is satisfied or not with the president's and other officials' performance.

It uses its reputation acquired in doing such legitimate surveys as cover for its polls the intention of which is merely to support propaganda offensives its clients pay it to do.

A classic case is when SWS conducted a poll in 2006 that concluded that former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the country's worst president. The poll was undertaken when the Yellows launched a full- blown black-propaganda offensive against Arroyo with the Philippine Daily Inquirer headlining even outright lies such as those accusing her sons of being involved in the illegal drug trade. Then opposition leader Sergio Osmeña 3rd would later boast that he funded that SWS poll. https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/02/opinion/columns/sws-misinforms-the-public-on-south- china-sea-issue/1809351

Negative views of China increase worldwide despite expanding CCP propaganda campaigns IPDForum July 31, 2021 Top Stories 0 Comment FORUM Staff

Majorities of the populace in 15 of 17 developed nations around the world continue to harbor negative opinions about China, according to a report by the Pew Research Center released in late June 2021.

cross Europe, the Indo-Pacific and “Large majorities in most of the advanced economies surveyed have broadly negative views North America. of China,” Pew found in a survey of 18,850 people a Moreover, Pew reported that negative perceptions of China are at or near historic highs in efforts increasing in intensity and scope, analysts said. nearly every country surveyed despite the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) propaganda Negative views rose significantly since 2018 in Australia, Canada, Greece, Italy, South Korea and the United Kingdom, and record highs were reported in Canada, Germany, South Korea and the United States, where negative opinions increased 3 percentage points from 2020, the Pew report said.

About 88% of respondents in Japan, 80% in Sweden, 78% in Australia, 77% in South Korea, 76% in the U.S. and 73% in Canada hold negative opinions of China, the report said. More than two-thirds of respondents in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Taiwan hold mostly negative views of China as well.

Meanwhile, the CCP appears to be continuing to increase funding for its assorted propaganda campaigns globally, which include agencies and organizations ranging from the Confucius Institutes and United Front Work Department to other efforts to influence overseas Chinese, analysts said. Although its actual overall budget for foreign-directed propaganda is unknown, analysts estimate it runs more than U.S. $10 billion annually. For example, Chinese state media organizations spent U.S. $64 million on campaigns that target mistreatment of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, which includes mass internment in the U.S. in 2020, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.Analysts point to the CCP’s reeducation camps and persecution, its authoritarian crackdown on Hong Kong and its efforts to cover up the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan as contributors to the increasingly negative opinions worldwide.

Large majorities, on average 88%, in all countries surveyed, and 60% in Singapore, “believe report said. Such sentiments are also at an all-time high. that the Chinese government does not respect the personal freedom of Chinese people,” the -called

“All the countries in the free world are well aware that, far from maintaining any so international order, the CCP is creating a new set of ‘international norms’ of its own that democracy activist and consultant for the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China told Radio cares nothing for human rights and doesn’t respect freedom or democracy,” Joey Siu, a Free Asia.

image [for the better] international “But it seems that however much the CCP tries to package this, it’s not changing China’s ly very much,” Siu said.

What is more, opinions about the CCP’s treatment of the Chinese people and views of China respect its citizenry, unfavorable views of the c are closely correlated, the report said. “In publics where more people think China does not https://ipdefenseforum.com/2021/07/negative-views-ountryof-china-increase-worldwide-despite-expanding- are higher.” ccp-propaganda-campaigns/

Commentary: Myanmar is turning into a super-spreader COVID-19 state A mismanagement of the crisis and a collapsing health sector is imposing unspeakable suffering on the poor, say two observers.

Volunteers in protective suits carry a COVID-19 patient lying on a hospital bed following floods, in Myawaddy, Myanmar. (Photo: Karen Information Center via Reuters)

01 Aug 2021 06:13AM(Updated: 01 Aug 2021 06:20AM) ADELAIDE: Myanmar is facing a catastrophic health crisis that could have ramifications not just for the country’s long-suffering people, but across the region as well.

The country is experiencing a major spike in COVID-19 cases — what one Doctors Without Borders official referred to as “uncontrolled community spread” — fuelled by the military junta’s gross mismanagement of the crisis and a collapsing health sector.

The military regime’s official statistics are running at around 6,000 cases and 300 deaths per day, but no one believes these are accurate. This is, after all, the junta that staged a military coup in February and then tried to argue it was constitutionally valid.

With only 2.8 per cent of Myanmar’s 54 million people fully vaccinated, there are now concerns the country could become a “COVID-19 super-spreader state”. And this could lead to the emergence of new variants, says the UN’s special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar who said: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/myanmar-super-spreader-covid-19-state- doctors-15336516

Commentary: What happens if people stay unvaccinated? The US shows the answer and one of the vaccinated. The differences in deaths and hospitalisations between the two populations are striking, sayThe twoUS has researchers. split into “two Americas,” one of the unvaccinated 01 Aug 2021 06:15AM(Updated: 01 Aug 2021 06:20AM) SAN MARCOS, Texas: In recent weeks, one piece of data has gotten a lot of attention: That 99.5 per cent of all the people dying from COVID-19 in the US are unvaccinated.

Since the start of the pandemic, public health experts have been concerned about what might happen if large sections of the US population, for whatever reason, did not get vaccinated.

Over the past few weeks, the answer to that question is starting to emerge.

As of mid-July, the US has fully vaccinated more than 160 million people – just under 50 per cent of the population – against COVID-19.

Despite a surplus of available vaccines, in recent weeks the rate of vaccination has slowed substantially. In early April, health workers administered roughly 4 million new vaccines daily. Today, that number is about 450,000 doses a day.

As people sought vaccines over the past few months, the US has split into what Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is calling “two Americas” – one of the vaccinated population and one of the unvaccinated population. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/what-happens-if-people-stay-unvaccinated- hospitalisation-death-15338698