Author: Jim Gomez
-
US plans to deploy more missile launchers to the Philippines despite China’s alarm
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The United States plans to deploy more high-tech missile systems to the Philippines to help deter aggression in the South China Sea, where the treaty allies on Tuesday condemned what they called China’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities.” Beijing has repeatedly expressed alarm over the installation in the northern Philippines…
-
Philippine and Chinese vessels collide in disputed South China Sea and 4 Filipino crew are injured
Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels have collided in the disputed South China Sea, slightly injuring four Filipino crewmen in a new confrontation that unfolded as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for an Asian summit where alarm over Beijing’s aggression at sea was expected to be raised
-
US military drills in Philippines unaffected by America’s focus on Ukraine and Gaza, US general says
A U.S. general says combat exercises between the United States and the Philippines that involve thousands of forces each year will not be affected by America’s focus on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East
-
Philippine ferry fire kills 31 people; at least 7 missing
MANILA, Philippines • A fire broke out on a ferry in the southern Philippines and raged overnight for eight hours, killing at least 31 of the approximately 250 passengers and crew, officials said Thursday. Many of the more than 200 people who survived the blaze jumped off the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 and were…
-
‘A big deal’: U.S., Philippines tighten military ties
MANILA, Philippines • The Philippines said Thursday it was allowing U.S. forces to broaden their footprint in the Southeast Asian nation, the latest Biden administration move strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China, including in any future confrontation over Taiwan. Thursday’s agreement, which gives U.S. forces access to four…
-
Typhoon leaves 20 dead in Philippines
MANILA, Philippines • A strong typhoon that barreled through the central Philippines left at least 28 people dead and forced thousands to flee their homes, devastating Christmas celebrations in the predominantly Catholic country. Typhoon Phanfone stranded many people in sea and airports at the peak of holiday travel, set off landslides, flooded low-lying villages, destroyed…
-
Philippine police seek casino attacker’s identity
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine police know the attacker was a tall, English-speaking white man with a moustache. They know he carried an assault rifle, and that he used gasoline to start a casino fire that caused clouds of smoke that left at least 36 people dead Friday morning in a sprawling entertainment complex in Manila.…
-
Gunfire, blasts hit Philippine casino; terror ties doubted
MANILA, Philippines — A gunman stormed a casino in the Philippine capital and torched gambling tables in the crowded space, creating a choking level of smoke that killed at least 36 people, authorities said. The gunman stuffed a backpack with casino chips before he fled but was found dead in an adjacent hotel early Friday…
-
Priest says he and 200 others held hostage in Philippines
MARAWI, Philippines — A Catholic priest who was taken hostage by militants linked to the Islamic State group says he’s being held alongside 200 other captives, including children, in what appeared to be a battle-scarred part of a southern Philippine city. In a video apparently taken under duress by militants, Father Teresito Suganob said his…
-
From NZ rubble, haunting texts to Mom beg for help
The first text message said: “Mommy, I got buried.” About 40 minutes later: “Mommy, I can’t move my right hand.” Then, a brief call from New Zealand’s earthquake rubble to parents in the Philippines pleading to send help. After another harrowing hour in a crumpled building, when she sent a half-dozen more texts about increasing…