BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Southeast Asian nations may soon have to “choose sides” between the US and China in their ongoing trade war, the political heir to Cambodia’s strongman ruler Hun Sen warned Wednesday in rare public comments. Impoverished Cambodia has become an unlikely staging ground for geopolitical influence in Asia. In recent years it has turned into a key China ally, heading off criticism of the superpower over its claims to disputed seas […]
ASEAN Perspectives
Meth precursors fuelling Myanmar’s unstoppable drug trade
YANGON, Myanmar (AFP) — A flood of precursor chemicals into Myanmar is fuelling record meth production, officials said Wednesday, as the country’s multi-billion-dollar drug trade spills out across Asia-Pacific. The “Golden Triangle” — a lawless wedge of land intersecting China, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos — has for generations served as a base for opium and heroin production. But it is Myanmar’s meth production and trafficking that has skyrocketed to “alarming levels” in recent years, […]
President Duterte recognizes Filipino artists and institutions preserving cultural heritage
President Rodrigo Duterte has recognized this year’s awardees for the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA), Philippine Heritage Award, and the Order of National Artist, noting that cultural heritage is vital to the formation of the Filipino identity. President Duterte honored seven new national artists in their respective fields: Lauro “Larry” Alcala for Visual Arts, Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio for Theater and Literature, Ryan Cayabyab for Music, Eric de Guia also known as Kidlat Tahimik for […]
PHL sends relief and humanitarian assistance to Indonesia to help quake victims
(Eagle News) — The Philippines on Wednesday, October 10 sent off to Indonesia much needed supplies and humanitarian assistance for the victims affected by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit the country on September 28. The aid supplies were loaded onto a Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” cargo ship. Relief goods and other assistance, including six water filtration units, six generators, 100 tents, 4,400 assorted sleeping kits, were among the supplied loaded to the […]
ASEAN explores stronger public-private partnership in Disaster Management conference
The ASEAN ministers in-charge of disaster management gathered in Putrajaya, Malaysia on Friday, October 05, 2018 for the 6th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management (AMMDM) and the 7th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (COP to AADMER). Prior to this, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad opened the commemoration of the ASEAN Day for Disaster Management before the ASEAN Ministers in charge […]
No more importation of “fancy” varieties
(Eagle News) — Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said he would seek a ban on the importation of “fancy” varieties next year, now that the National Food Authority is under his supervision. Secretary Emmanuel Piñol also said the NFA council approved the measure tightening the monitoring of imported rice and would ensure what enters the country is of good quality and free from infestation. https://youtu.be/JJkucgfuNIo
ASEAN BAC PH launches agribusinesses in 2nd ASEAN Agriculture Summit
The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) Philippines, together with Go Negosyo and the Department of Agriculture (DA) Philippines held the second ASEAN Agriculture Summit on Monday, October 1 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. https://youtu.be/JJkucgfuNIo
President Duterte instituting reforms to protect rights of law-abiding Filipinos, Cayetano tells UN assembly
(Eagle News) — Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano told the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York of the Philippine government’s efforts in instituting reforms to protect law-abiding Filipinos in the country, as he defended the Duterte administration’s war on drugs and criminality. Cayetano said that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is trying to “salvage” the Philippines, and preventing it from becoming a narco-state. “As a sovereign and democratic country led […]
EU launches Asia strategy to rival China’s ‘new Silk Road’
by Damon Wake Agence France Presse BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — As doubts grow over China’s vast “Belt and Road” trade infrastructure project, the EU is launching an alternative plan for Asia that it says will not saddle countries with debt they cannot repay. EU member countries are expected to sign off on the new “Asia connectivity strategy” — which aims to improve transport, digital and energy links while promoting environmental and labor standards — […]
Protection of OFWs, $140-M investments secured: Duterte cites benefits of historic visits to Israel and Jordan
(Eagle News) – The commitment to protect the country’s thousands of overseas Filipino Workers in Israel and Jordan, $140 million in combined investments, cooperation in the defense and the fight against terrorism, education, labor and human resources, as well as the respect and strengthened friendship for the Philippines by the two important Middle East countries. These were just among what Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said were his achievements in his successful trip to Israel […]
Suu Kyi should have ‘resigned’ over Myanmar crackdown: UN rights chief
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi should have resigned as Myanmar’s de facto leader over last year’s brutal army campaign against the Rohingya, the outgoing UN human rights chief has told the BBC. A military crackdown in response to attacks by Rohingya militants drove around 700,000 of the Muslim minority from Rakhine state into Bangladesh, where they have given accounts of widespread rape, murder and arson targeting their villages. Suu […]
Asian countries denounce ‘real threat’ of global trade war
by Martin Abbugao Agence France Presse Singapore (AFP) — Asian countries have voiced concern about the potentially devastating impact of a US-China trade war, with ministers calling for the acceleration of talks for a gigantic Beijing-backed free-trade deal that excludes the United States. Fear that a simmering trade spat between the world’s top two economies could spiral into a full-blown trade war — with painful consequences for China’s neighbours — was among topics dominating […]
