TOKYO — The Philippine foreign minister, amid rising tensions with China over its maritime expansion in the South China Sea, on Friday strongly urged ASEAN and China to quickly establish norms based on international law. “The Philippines does not accept, and indeed rejects, narratives that depict the South China Sea merely as a theater for … Read more
Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto recently told his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Indonesia would like to participate in developing the Kaan fighter jets. Jakarta’s wish to deepen defense ties with Ankara came as no surprise, considering their existing bilateral cooperation and Prabowo’s military background. Prabowo is currently on a five-leg Middle East tour, with Ankara … Read more
AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is asking government agencies to help support the abaca industry. “We will request that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reconsider its decision to remove abaca fiber from Philippine banknotes, given [its] impact on the livelihood of millions… We will also urge the Department of Foreign Affairs to incorporate abaca … Read more
Jakarta. The Indonesian government plans to negotiate with the US after its president, Donald Trump, launched a 32 percent reciprocal tariff on imports from the Southeast Asian nation. Trump’s latest reciprocal tariffs have been making headlines worldwide as they are expected to take a huge toll on many industries. On what Trump called the “Liberation … Read more
TOKYO — Clad in a simple blue suit during his initial hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 14, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte showed little of the commanding presence he once displayed as a strongman leader. Participating in the pre-trial proceedings in The Hague, Netherlands, via video link from a detention center … Read more
Jakarta. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is partnering with Indonesia’s Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry to train Indonesian workers for employment in Japan’s fishery industry. Under this program, trained workers will gain hands-on experience in Japan and are expected to share their knowledge and skills with their compatriots upon returning, contributing to the development … Read more
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos sought an immediate inquiry on the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte to determine whether due process was followed when he was turned over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face trial. Duterte was arrested on Thursday after the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest to face … Read more
Jakarta. The Indonesian government is working to repatriate 270 citizens stranded in Myawaddy, Myanmar, after being rescued from online scam syndicates, a Foreign Affairs Ministry official said on Friday. Judha Nugraha, director of Indonesian citizen protection at the ministry, revealed that thousands of Indonesians have been lured by fraudulent job offers in Thailand, only to … Read more
VISITING Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet said Cambodia and the Philippines still have a long way to unlock full economic potential by strengthening the two countries’ trade and investment ties. Hun Manet is on his first official visit to the Philippines until Tuesday. Source link
TOKYO/KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visits Malaysia and Indonesia from Thursday to Sunday, looking to cement economic and defense ties with Southeast Asian countries that are expanding their international presence amid geopolitical uncertainties. Ishiba, who took office in October, chose the two ASEAN members for his first overseas visit, excluding international conferences. He is … Read more