Dateline Kamuning: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will conduct its 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓-𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐄 with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) at the vicinity waters off Mariveles, Bataan, from 01 to 07 June 2023. The PCG will deploy BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Boracay (FPB-2401), and one 44-meter multi-role response vessel, while the USCG and JCG will send USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752) and Akitsushima (PLH-32), respectively. The PCG acquired the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and the participating 44-meter MRRV through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)- Department of Transportation (DOTr) Maritime Safety Improvement Project. The PCG-USCG-JCG maritime exercise would 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 through communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue (SAR)...

  Dateline Kamuning: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reported a productive state visit to China, where he underscored his “in-depth and frank” discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a bid to resolve issues on the West Philippine Sea. “President Xi and I also had an in-depth and frank discussion on the West Philippine Sea issue. We took note of our growing maturity of this bilateral relationship – this bilateral relationship which now allows both sides to manage differences on the West Philippine Sea, so as to not allow it to hinder the rest of our fruitful engagements and multi-faceted cooperation,” Marcos said in his arrival statement delivered at the Villamor Air Base.   In his bilateral meeting with President Xi, the chief executive said they affirmed that maritime issues do not comprise the entirety of Philippine-Chinese relations, but acknowledged as well that they remain a significant concern and priority for the Philippines and for the region. The ...