Michael Punongbayan

4 days ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — A security and defense dialogue will be initiated by the Philippines and the European Union. At yesterday’s press briefing, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and EU High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy Kaja Kallas declared their commitment to the initiative.

5 days ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) gave assurance yesterday that it will provide legal help to 11 Filipinos facing jail time in Nigeria. Reports said 11 of the 15 Asians found guilty of cyberterrorism and internet fraud in Nigeria on Friday were Filipinos. After confessing to the crimes, a court sentenced them to one year in jail and ordered them to pay a fine of one million Naira or roughly P35,000 for each of the charges leveled against them.

6 days ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — China yesterday warned the United States it “should not play with fire” over Taiwan and said it had lodged representations with Washington over comments made by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The US secretary of defense used his speech at an annual security forum on Saturday to warn that China was “credibly preparing” to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia.

6 days ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas is scheduled to visit the country this week for high-level meetings and activities with Philippine government officials. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the ranking official will be in Manila from June 1 to 2, which will be her first visit to the Philippines following her appointment in December 2024.

1 week ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Friday lauded the Philippines for “standing up to China’s aggressive actions targeting lawful Philippine activities in the South China Sea.”“I want to applaud the Philippines for their courage and clarity in the South China Sea, and their clear-eyed recognition of the challenges we face.