ASEAN IN FOCUS

Chinese high rollers moved stolen Bangladesh millions to Philippines witness

Businessman Kim Wong testified during a senate hearing yesterday that two Chinese men were responsible for moving 81 million dollars stolen by hackers from Bangladesh’s foreign reserves into Philippine casinos. Following the heist, the millions stolen from the Bangladesh Central Bank’s American accounts on February 5 were immediately sent via electronic transfer to a Philippine bank. The dollar accounts where the stolen funds landed were reportedly opened by two men, Sua Hua Gao from Beijing […]

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Cambodia rescues half ton of smuggled tortoises, pythons

Cambodian authorities rescued more than half a ton of live tortoises and pythons stolen by smugglers, a forestry official said Tuesday, the latest haul in a country with a thriving illegal wildlife trade. The animals — 102 elongated tortoises and 17 pythons — weighed a total of 570 kilos. Forestry official Y Sophy said, they were confiscated Monday afternoon from a cargo truck in Cambodia’s Kandal province. No arrests were made as the truck’s driver […]

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Sen. Bongbong attributes PCGG’s online exhibit of his family’s jewelries to politics

Senator Bongbong Marcos has attributed to politics the staging of an online exhibition of the Marcos jewelry collection that was seized by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) in the aftermath of the people power revolution that toppled the government of his father, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. The PCGG’s online exhibit titled “virtual jewelry exhibit, a story of excesses: what could have fueled a nation’s development” began on March 16. The PCGG said […]

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US troops expected to arrive today for Balikatan 2016

American troops joining this year’s Balikatan exercises are expected to arrive in the country today as Filipino troops kick off planning exercises designed to boost their ability to handle emergency situations. A spokesman for Balikatan 2016 said “based on the plan, the mobilization of the American troops and the off-loading of their equipment for Balikatan 2016 will start today, on March 28. He said they are following a timeline and they should be here today […]

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Philippines, Vietnam top ASEAN growth

Growth prospects for export-oriented economies in Southeast Asia, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, will be weaker in 2016 and 2017. But some other countries are expected to do better, according to a new forecast. In its assessment of ASEAN economies over the next couple of years, credit ratings agency moody’s forecast growth in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia will be weaker than in countries where growth is driven more by domestic demand. The Philippines is […]

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DOH warns vs possibility of measles cases during summer months

The Department of Health (DOH) has warned against the possible increase in the number of measles cases, aside from skin problems, during the summer months. The dry season or summer in the country starts in March. According to DOH Secretary Janette L. Garin, while the agency has conducted some form of supplemental immunization program, there is a possibility of cases of measles that maybe experienced by some people in certain areas. She said that because […]

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ASEAN Ministers adopt communication strategic plan

  SOUTHEAST Asian ministers has adopted a communications strategic plan that would make ASEAN people aware of what is happening in the region, a Palace official has said. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the strategic plan was adopted during the 13th ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) Conference which was held on March 14 to 16 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. “Ang ASEAN Communications Strategy po ay ipapatupad ng iba’t ibang mga Ministry of Information — […]

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5 US navy ships to participate in ‘Balikatan’ 2016 exercises

MANILA, Philippines — Five United Sates navy ships will be participating in this year’s “Balikatan” exercises. Captain Celeste Frank Sayson, “Balikatan” spokesperson, however did not give the names and exact types of the participating American ships except one of them will be most likely a “guided missile destroyer.” US navy ships are expected to participate in the maritime interdiction exercises which will be held off the eastern side of Palawan. Sayson said two Philippine navy […]

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China says coastguard vessel did not enter Indonesian waters

(Reuters) — China’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday (March 21) that a Chinese coastguard vessel did not enter Indonesian waters after Indonesia protested against what it called an infringement of its waters by a Chinese vessel near a disputed area of the South China Sea over the weekend. The incident involving an Indonesian patrol boat, and a Chinese coastguard vessel and fishing boat in what Indonesia said was its waters, has angered Indonesia. Indonesia says […]

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Philippines to host ASEAN Summit 2017

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma confirmed that the Philippines will be the host of the Association of South East Asian Nations’ Leaders’ Summit next year, coinciding with the 50th founding anniversary of the said organization. (Eagle News Service Described by Jay Paul Carlos, Video Editing by Dexter Magno, Uploaded by MRFaith Bonalos)

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Led by China, Mekong nations take on Golden Triangle narco-empire

  (Reuters) — The Lao People’s Army patrol boat is custom-made in China with night-vision capability and two of the most powerful engines on this remote stretch of the Mekong River. However the lack of resources, such as gasoline, means the boat often stays docked and unused. Even occasional patrols by boats like these, supplied by China to the Lao army and Myanmar police, have successfully subdued the pirates who once robbed the Mekong’s cargo […]

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