A whistle-blower has alleged that a video purporting to show Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr using illegal drugs was fabricated and spread online as part of a coordinated plot initiated at a Hong Kong restaurant, by allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte – including his former spokesman. Vicente “Pebbles” Cunanan, a political vlogger and social…
Beijing has denied media reports that it rejected an asylum request from former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, with the foreign ministry on Monday saying no application had been received from Duterte or his family. Philippine news agencies, citing an anonymous source, reported last week that Duterte had been rejected from obtaining asylum in China before…
Comments by former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte have ignited speculation he is preparing to face an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a development analysts have said could weaken his family’s political dynasty ahead of the country’s coming midterm elections. Speaking at a rally in Hong Kong on Sunday, Duterte said he was…
Crew members assigned to the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Sindangan say they knew their mission would involve facing off against huge, numerous, intimidating Chinese vessels in the contested waters of the South China Sea. But that did not fully prepare them for the reality. “My heart beats up every time a clash is imminent,”…
“The China Coast Guard conducted law enforcement patrols in the territorial waters of China’s Huangyan Island and the surrounding area,” the China Coast Guard said, referring to Scarborough Shoal, known as Panatag Shoal in the Philippines “This was a law-enforcement activity carried out by the Chinese maritime police in accordance with the law.” The patrol…
The Philippines has approved the purchase of 40 fast patrol craft worth 25.8 billion pesos (US$450 million), seeking to bolster maritime security as tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea linger. The National Economic and Development Authority Board, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, gave the greenlight for the purchase, which will be funded…