Latest news with #ArmedForcesofthePhilippines
GMA Network
7 days ago
- GMA Network
Navy: P10 billion worth of shabu seized in Zambales
"The shipment, amounting to 1.5 tons roughly with a market value of P10 billion, had markings that appeared to be Chinese in character," Trinidad said. Authorities have seized P10 billion worth of suspected shabu in Zambales, Philippine Navy Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said Tuesday. He added that authorities also nabbed a Chinese Malaysian national along with the illegal drugs. "The shipment, amounting to 1.5 tons roughly with a market value of P10 billion, had markings that appeared to be Chinese in character," Trinidad said. "On the military, we look for indicators. It appears that it is not far-fetched that this could be another effort of the Chinese Communist Party to destroy the future generation of Filipinos by flooding our country with illicit drugs," he added. 'It's not far-fetched na ito (shabu) ay galing o isang effort ng (if from or an effort of the) Chinese Communist Party,' he added. With the sightings of illegal drugs in Philippine waters, Trinidad said the Philippine Navy and Armed Forces of the Philippines extend their comprehensive archipelagic defense operations. 'We now extend our coverage all the way up to our EEZ (exclusive economic zone),' he said. To recall, two fishermen turned over 50 plastic packs of suspected shabu with markings of Chinese characters to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency last week. –Mariel Celine Serquiña/NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
24-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP ready to aid in repatriating Pinoys in Middle East amid tension
DMW Sec. Hans Cacdac and Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos, along with the team of Philippine Embassy and Migrant Workers Office in Amman, Jordan pose with 26 OFWs and one Filipina tourist who will be returning to the Philippines through the government's voluntary repatriation program. File photo: Department of Migrant Workers The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to help with the repatriation of Filipinos affected by the continuous tension in the Middle East, spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said Tuesday. 'The Armed Forces of the Philippines is prepared to be in sync with other government agencies in terms of the role that the AFP will play in terms of repatriation,' Padilla told reporters at a press briefing. 'So, we are ready to react swiftly, securely, and in sync with other government agencies on this,' she added. The first batch of Filipinos is expected to arrive Tuesday night around 7 p.m. after it was delayed due to the temporary suspension of Qatari air traffic after Iran attacked a US military base in Doha. The Department of Migrant Workers also said 50 more Filipinos could be repatriated this week. Last week, the Philippine government raised the crisis alert to level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the affected areas to take advantage of the voluntary repatriation as armed hostilities between the two countries continue. According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration., it has received 35 calls for assistance since the Philippine government raised the Crisis Alert to Level 3 in Israel and Iran. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH using ‘right as our might' vs. China, says AFP
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) likened the Philippines' strategy against China to a 'game of chess' in a recent press conference, and emphasized that the Philippines' rights in the West Philippine Sea are what it puts up against the might of China, a nuclear power. On Tuesday, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said that China's nuclear arsenal was a different playing field and that the Philippines was using its voice and the law to fight. 'The Philippines is playing somewhat like a strategic game. We're playing like a game of chess… We're using our voice to fight, and we're using the law. The arbitral ruling, UNCLOS, has already ruled in our favor, and thus this right as our might has shown its power. We cannot speculate on how others would fortify their defenses,' she said. Padilla noted that the Philippines continues to modernize and strengthen its alliances in order to face off against China. 'If they are doing might versus right, we'll still continue on with using our right as our might,' she added. Regarding the reports that China is expanding its nuclear arsenal, Philippine Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad added that the Philippines had signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty of Nuclear Weapons in 1968. 'We are among the most freedom-loving and hospitable people in the world… We do not look at any country as a threat unless this country would commence illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions against us unless any country would start intruding into our maritime zones,' said Trinidad. 'The build-up of nuclear weapons by the members of the nuclear club has been there since post-World War II. So that is a dynamic, a reality that all countries in the world will have to face,' he said. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM, GMA Integrated News
Dubai Eye
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Dubai Eye
UAE President congratulates Philippines on Independence Day
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a congratulatory cable to his counterpart in the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, on the country's Independence Day. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, also sent similar messages to Marcos Jr. In Manila, Marcos Jr led the celebration of the 127th anniversary of the country's independence and nationhood. It was marked with a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Rizal National Monument followed by wreath-laying rites in honour of the nation's heroes. A grand float parade at the Quirino Grandstand featured seven pivotal events in Philippine history, with members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also participating in the event.
GMA Network
12-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP launches offshore patrol vessel BRP Rajah Sulayman
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday reaffirmed its dedication to national sovereignty and defense modernization as it launched the offshore patrol vessel BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20) in Ulsan, South Korea on Wednesday. In a statement, the AFP said the launching ceremony was attended by AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) chief operating officer and senior executive vice president Joo Won Ho. The event showed the strong partnership between the Philippines and South Korea in enhancing maritime security and self-reliant defense capabilities, according to the AFP. Brawner, in his remarks, pointed out the strategic importance of the launch, especially its role in advancing the Philippines' maritime defense. 'The launch of Offshore Patrol Vessel No. 1, the BRP Rajah Sulayman, is not merely the unveiling of a new ship—it is a bold declaration of our commitment to maritime security and the defense of our sovereignty,' Brawner said. 'This vessel marks a new chapter for the Philippine Navy, reflecting our resolve to enhance our operational capabilities and extend our presence across our vast maritime domain,' he added. According to the AFP, its new asset was named after a fearless native leader, Rajah Sulayman, who stood firm against foreign conquest in pre-colonial times. The AFP said BRP Rajah Sulayman is a modern emblem of the Filipino people's resilience, courage, and unyielding spirit of independence. 'As the nation honors its past, the AFP remains steadfast in shaping a future where freedom is not only celebrated but vigilantly safeguarded,' the AFP said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
