#MANILA, #Philippines – #PhilippineAirlines (PAL) wants to return direct flights to #Europe as early as 2025, but the flag carrier is seeking help from the government to make potential flight prices affordable.
In 2023, PAL placed an order for 9 #Airbus A350-1000s, which are wide-body jets commonly used for long routes. Deliveries for these planes are expected to start in 2025.
"We are witnessing a historic process -- Russians are leaving for the first time in two centuries," independent Azerbaijani analyst Elhan Shahinoglu told AFP.
#Thailand has accepted an invitation to participate in the upcoming #PeaceSummit, which will be held in #Switzerland from June 15-16, according to Thai PBS.
Today in Labor History January 30, 1970: 20,000 people rioted in Manila. They were protesting the regime of US-backed dictator Ferdinand Marcos after his State of the Nation address. Over 2,000 attempted to storm the US embassy chanting “Down with imperialism!” Riot police and soldiers beat protesters with truncheons and rifle butts. At least 50 people were hospitalized and at least six died. Riots continued throughout the year. They were part of the First Quarter Storm.
"Deliberately grounded on a tiny reef in the #SouthChinaSea, part of an island chain claimed by the two Asian countries, the #BRPSierraMadre is now the unlikely base for a detachment of Filipino marines who stand guard over the atoll, scanning the turquoise waters for Chinese ships." #AyunginShoal#SecondThomasShoal#Philippines
#MANILA, #Philippines – Over 40 volunteers composed mostly of youth and student leaders arrived in #ElNido, #Palawan, on Saturday, December 9, in line with the three-day #ChristmasConvoy civilian supply mission to the #WestPhilippineSea that will begin on Saturday, December 10.
The volunteers, who also include fisherfolk representatives, among others, arrived in El Nido from #Manila, aboard the TS Kapitan Felix Oca that had been loaded with donations and supplies.
#MANILA, #Philippines — A group of #Filipino civilians will embark in a historic journey in Philippine waters — they will sail to the #WestPhilippineSea to assert the country’s control over our own waters.
Organized by #AtinIto coalition, the program will begin on Sunday, December 10.
#MANILA, #Philippines – Foreign ministers of Southeast Asia’s regional bloc Association of Southeast Asian Nations (#ASEAN) on Saturday, December 30, expressed their concern over growing tensions in the #SouthChinaSea which they said could threaten regional peace and urged for peaceful dialogue among parties. #SoutheastAsia#TootSEA
#MANILA, #Philippines – Two Chinese navy vessels shadowed Philippine and US ships conducting joint patrols in the #SouthChinaSea, the Philippine military said on Thursday, January 4 as tensions flare in the region over disputed territorial claims.
The two-day maritime exercises involving Manila and #Washington, were the second in less than two months in the #WestPhilippineSea – within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (#EEZ). #China
#MANILA, #Philippines — The Philippines will get a delivery of supersonic missiles by March, according to #NationalSecurityCouncil (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya on Friday.
In an ambush interview in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Malaya said that the ground system for the #BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles will arrive in February. #WestPHSea
The #Philippines is doubling down on efforts to preserve its sovereignty in the disputed waters while preparing for contingencies in nearby #Taiwan.
As such #Manila is stepping up its acquisition of increasingly high-end military equipment while expanding sophisticated military exercises with partners including the #US, #Japan and #Australia. #WestPHSea#China
#MANILA, #Philippines – Shadowing and blocking maneuvers by #China in the #WestPhilippineSea are nothing new for personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (#PCG), nor for Philippine journalists who are practically regulars in missions to those waters as part of the government’s “transparency initiative.” #WestPHSea#ScarboroughShoal
#MANILA, #Philippines – The China Coast Guard on Tuesday, April 30, used water cannons against two Philippine vessels in #BajoDeMasinloc (#ScarboroughShoal), a feature some 100 nautical miles off the coast off the coast Zambales.
#MANILA, #Philippines — Finally breaking its silence, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned the public against “falling for false narratives” after #China’s threat to release an #AudioRecording supposedly proving that a high-ranking Filipino army official agreed on a “new model” in #AyunginShoal. #WestPHSea
De Castro’s paper noted how #Manila’s 2019 #NationalMilitaryStrategy had bluntly stated that #China would never be a security partner of the #Philippines and was in fact the main threat to the country, and the #US should be included in the military’s strategic planning.