By Richard Jones Manila, Philippines — The sudden and unauthorized departure of businesswoman Alice Guo from the Philippines has set off an urgent political firestorm, revealing deep-seated issues within the country’s immigration and justice systems. Guo, a Chinese national, left the country despite being embroiled in multiple legal controversies, including allegations of espionage and involvement…
By Luke Allen In a worrisome turn of events, tensions between Beijing and Manila have escalated dramatically as both sides engage in a bitter blame game following a series of collisions between their coast guard vessels in the South China Sea. The incidents have reignited longstanding territorial disputes, casting a shadow over maritime security and…
By Richard Jones Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recently released its official poverty statistics for the year 2023, shedding light on the economic well-being of Filipino families across different regions. Here are the key findings: Poverty Threshold and Incidence Regional Disparities Now, let’s zoom in on specific regions: Positive Trends The Road Ahead…
By Luke Allen In the modern era, the sanctity of democratic elections is under a pressing and insidious threat: election interference. The rapid rise of digital technology and the interconnected nature of the global community have handed malicious actors unprecedented opportunities to manipulate electoral processes, sow discord, and undermine the credibility of democratic institutions. From…
By Luke Allen In a recent development in Philippine politics, Zamboanga del Norte 2nd District Representative Gloria Labadlabad has taken a stand by advising Vice President Sara Duterte to shift her focus from engaging in a blame game to adopting a more proactive and solution-oriented approach to leadership. Labadlabad, the House Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations…
Luke Allen – Military Political Analyst – Makati, Manila – lukeallenmanila@journlist.com Moncton, NB — Regine Lura, a native of Antipolo City in the Rizal province of the Philippines, has been named one of the first recipients of the inaugural Humanitarian Award for Community Volunteer Hero by the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA)….
Luke Allen – Military Political Analyst – Makati, Manila – lukeallenmanila@journlist.com Manila, Philippines, August 11, 2024 – The Philippine military has condemned a perilous maneuver executed by two Chinese air force jets that endangered a Philippine patrol plane over the contested South China Sea. The incident near the Scarborough Shoal further intensified the strained relations…
Luke Allen – Military Political Analyst – Makati, Manila – lukeallenmanila@journlist.com Manila, Philippines — In a landmark decision, the Philippine Court of Appeals (CA) has blocked the government’s attempts to shut down Rappler, a prominent news outlet known for its critical stance against former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial drug war. The court ordered the Securities…
Luke Allen – Military Political Analyst – Makati, Manila – lukeallenmanila@journlist.com In a bold move that has raised regional tensions, China conducted a high-profile combat patrol near the contested Scarborough Shoal on August 7, aiming to test its “strike capabilities” in the area. The strategic maneuver took place against the backdrop of increasing military collaborations…
Luke Allen – Military Political Analyst – Makati, Manila – lukeallenmanila@journlist.com On August 2nd, the armed forces of the Philippines announced that they had carried out their first-ever joint military exercises with Japan in the South China Sea. The drills took place within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, marking a significant step in the growing…
