In the Philippines, thousands of demonstrators, including members of the Roman Catholic Church, took to the streets on Sunday to demand the swift prosecution of officials implicated in a widespread corruption scandal. Protesters, also led by left-wing groups, called for the immediate resignation and prosecution of all implicated government officials, spurred by outrage over substandard flood control projects. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been working to quell public unrest while authorities have frozen assets and arrested several public works officers in connection to the case. Despite isolated calls, the Armed Forces of the Philippines rejected military intervention, while protesters demanded that officials be jailed and forced to return stolen funds.
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Super Typhoon Fung-wong, locally known as Uwan, has prompted the evacuation of over 900,000 people in the Philippines, particularly on Luzon Island, with the storm expected to make landfall in Aurora province. The typhoon, packing sustained winds of 185 kph and gusts up to 230 kph, has already caused work and class suspensions in several regions while the archipelago recovers from Typhoon Kalmaegi. Authorities have issued evacuation orders and redirected military personnel to assist with humanitarian efforts. The storm threatens to further strain disaster response as affected areas continue to provide aid for Kalmaegi survivors while also rebuilding communities.
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has revealed charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, alleging his involvement in the killings of at least 76 people during his time as president and mayor. The charges, detailed in a 15-page document, claim Duterte instructed and authorized violent acts, including murder, against alleged criminals. The charges cite killings that occurred during his time as mayor of Davao City and during his presidency. Duterte, who was arrested in March and is currently held at an ICC facility, has yet to respond to the charges, and a court hearing has been postponed.
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors have charged former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity for his role in the “war on drugs.” The charge sheet details accusations that Duterte designed and implemented a policy to “neutralize” alleged criminals, allegedly including the induction of hitmen, the provision of weapons, and incentives for killings. The charges specifically cite 76 murders between 2011 and 2019, although the prosecution asserts the actual number of victims was significantly higher. Duterte, who has been in ICC detention since March, is accused of directing killings during his time as mayor of Davao City and later as president, with court documents detailing his alleged involvement and actions, including his public statements that incited violence.
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In the South China Sea, a Chinese navy vessel collided with a China Coast Guard ship while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat. The incident, which occurred near Scarborough Shoal, involved the China Coast Guard chasing the Philippine vessel at high speed. Video footage released by Manila shows the moment of impact, resulting in significant damage to the China Coast Guard ship. While a Chinese coast guard spokesperson confirmed the confrontation, they did not acknowledge the collision.
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Following a meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump announced a new trade agreement with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., lowering U.S. tariffs while allowing the Philippines to have an open market without U.S. tariffs. The framework of the deal aims to strengthen economic and security ties amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. The leaders also discussed military cooperation, with the U.S. reaffirming its commitment to the Philippines. This meeting signifies the importance of the alliance in the face of increasing tensions in the South China Sea.
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A Senate hearing revealed alarming data from the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS): 18 million Filipino junior and senior high school graduates (2019-2024) are functionally illiterate. This means they lack the comprehension skills to understand simple text, despite completing their basic education. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Department of Education to address this crisis proactively, ensuring all students achieve functional literacy before graduation. The findings corroborate earlier studies highlighting a severe learning crisis in the Philippines.
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Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11th, pursuant to an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. This arrest, stemming from an ICC crimes against humanity case related to Duterte’s drug war, makes him the first former head of state apprehended via an international tribunal order. The arrest followed an Interpol Red Notice and was facilitated through Interpol, despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC. The Marcos administration, while not directly cooperating with the ICC, fulfilled its Interpol obligations.
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The Philippines and Canada finalized a defense pact to enhance military cooperation, enabling joint combat exercises and bolstering defense engagements in the face of China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea. This agreement, following similar pacts with the U.S., Australia, and Japan, will establish a framework for increased collaboration, improving interoperability, and facilitating capacity-building. The pact is intended to deter China’s aggression in the strategically important waterway, a key global trade route. The agreement is expected to be signed within the next few months.
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The French aircraft carrier *Charles de Gaulle*, along with accompanying warships, conducted joint military drills with Philippine forces in the South China Sea, showcasing a significant display of military power. These exercises, including anti-submarine warfare and aerial combat training, followed the *Charles de Gaulle*’s two-month Indo-Pacific deployment and marked its first-ever visit to the Philippines. The drills, intended to bolster regional security and maritime cooperation, are likely to further strain relations with China, which has repeatedly criticized similar joint military exercises in the disputed waters. France’s increased military presence in the region underscores its commitment to strengthening partnerships with Southeast Asian nations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker