National

Roque: President Duterte, Chinese President Xi have agreed war over W. Philippine Sea dispute not an option

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte brought up the issue of militarization in the West Philippine Sea during bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Vietnam, with both countries later agreeing war was not an option. This is according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who spoke in a press conference on the first day of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit on Monday. “There was a frank and very candid discussion on […]

Roque: Rapport between President Duterte, US President Trump “very good”; trade, drug war, terrorism discussed during bilateral talks

(Eagle News) —  Rapport between President Rodrigo Duterte and United States President Donald Trump was “very good” with the relationship between the two countries appearing “very warm, very friendly” and “very candid” at the same time during bilateral talks on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. According to Roque, such was the “friendly” relationship between Duterte and Trump the US President at one point asked his Philippine counterpart to sing prior to the talks. “It […]

President Duterte: ASEAN to sign “landmark document” on protection of migrant workers

(Eagle News) — Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are set to sign what President Rodrigo Duterte said was a “landmark” document on the protection of migrant workers. Duterte, the chair of the ASEAN this year, made the announcement himself at the opening of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. “I will be joining other ASEAN leaders tomorrow in signing this landmark document that would strengthen social protection, access to justice, humane and […]

At least 6 policemen, 10 protesters injured in rally held in time for ASEAN Summit

(Eagle News) — Protesters shouting anti-Donald Trump slogans on the sidelines of a major summit in Manila  forced themselves against  police barriers aimed at preventing them from getting near the venue of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Other Related Meetings, resulting in injuries to  at least six policemen and 10 protesters. National Capital Region Police Office director Oscar Albayalde said the protesters who incited the incident will face the necessary charges, noting […]

US-Philippine ties: A history of ‘best friends’ fighting

A meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on Monday follows a stormy 16 months in their nations’ decades-long alliance. Here are five things to know about relations between the United States and one of its oldest allies in Asia. Former colony  The Philippines went from centuries of Spanish rule to becoming a US colony in 1898 under the Treaty of Paris that was signed to end the Spanish-American war. The colonial period […]

President Duterte to hold meeting with US’ Trump today

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sit down with US President Donald Trump on Monday. The US president is in Manila with leaders of 18 other nations for two days of summits, the final leg of a headline-grabbing Asian tour dominated by the North Korean nuclear crisis. Allegations of Russian meddling in last year’s US presidential elections also hounded the second half of his 12-day trip, which took him from Japan to South Korea, China […]

Infographics: World Leaders attending the 31st ASEAN Summit in the Philippines (Part 1)

The Philippines is again at the world’s center stage as it hosts the 31st Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits from November 13 to 14, 2017. The ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners will come together to discuss regional and global issues. All the leaders of the ASEAN and their dialogue partners are now in the country for the historic summit happening as ASEAN celebrates its 50th year. The list […]

Look: US President Trump in Barong Tagalog at the ASEAN gala dinner

  (Eagle News) — US President Donald Trump arrived at the ASEAN gala dinner wearing the special barong Tagalog specially made by the Filipino designer Albert Andrada for the ASEAN leaders and heads of dialogue partner countries of the ASEAN. The specially designed pina barongs for the ASEAN gala dinner have intricate embroidery and front and cuff buttons featuring the ASEAN logo

ASEAN, Hong Kong sign deal in ‘vote for open trade’

Hong Kong and Southeast Asian nations signed a free trade deal Sunday, in what one minister described as a “clear vote” against protectionism, as the United States withdraws into its “America First” rhetoric. The city, a special administrative region of China, forged the agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the sidelines of a summit in Manila to be attended by world leaders including US President Donald Trump. The ministers were meeting […]