Michael Punongbayan

Philippines

Reporter for The Philippine Star. Present Beat : Department of National Defense - Armed Forces of the Philippines (DND-AFP)...

Featured in: Favicon

philstar.com Favicon

msn.com

abs-cbn.com Favicon

onenews.ph Favicon

nach-welt.com Favicon

deleciousfood.com Favicon

tfa.ph

businesspostexaminer.com Favicon

flipboard.com Favicon

news.abs-cbn.com

Articles

300 soldiers to help ensure peaceful polls in Metro Manila

4 days ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — More than 300 soldiers are now on stand-by and ready to help ensure the conduct of peaceful and orderly elections in Metro Manila tomorrow. Philippine Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said a total of 329 personnel have been assigned to handle the National Capital Region (NCR) as part of the national and local elections contingency or standby force.
Balikatan 2025 declared a success

5 days ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States military jointly declared this year’s Balikatan exercises a success yesterday, with both forces and other allied nations strengthening interoperability and trust in each other through combined training and joint activities held in various parts of the country. “Together with the AFP, we put the D in deterrence, defense and ‘don’t mess with us,’ ” Lt. Gen.
China ships harass Philippines Navy vessel in West Philippine Sea

6 days ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — Two Chinese warships and a coast guard vessel sailed dangerously close to the Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto in what could be Beijing’s latest provocative act in waters where Philippine and US forces had just capped joint military exercises.
US Army Pacific assures Philippines of alliance

1 week ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — Days before an international forum in Hawaii on land forces in the Pacific, the United States military has again reassured the Philippines of its firm defense commitment in the face of China’s untrammeled bullying, coercion and other acts of aggression at sea. Gen.
Philippines, US troops team up anew in Batanes

1 week ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — Complementing their training in weaponry, Filipino and US troops engaged in martial arts in Basco, Batanes as part of their joint drills last week, which included mortar firing, on day 12 of the Balikatan exercises. Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado, chief of the Combined Joint Information Bureau of Exercise Balikatan 40-2025, said the drills gave both forces another chance to improve interoperability.
AFP mulls strategic defense unit

1 week ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is looking at creating a new unit that will focus on strategic defense, in response to evolving global security challenges that see the country establishing new alliances. Military spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the creation of the AFP Strategic Defense Command is also aimed at institutionalizing faster reaction time. “We are actually doing three things.
Balikatan 2025 concludes joint Philippines-US maritime drills

2 weeks ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines— Philippine and US forces concluded yesterday their joint drills at sea under the Balikatan exercises, which featured joint sail, medical evacuation and live fire events. Lt. Col.
Face masks, hygiene kits sent to Bulusan victims

2 weeks ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan |Jose Rodel Clapano

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has sent face masks, hygiene kits and food packs to victims of the eruption of Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon. As of yesterday, up to 14,830 families composed of 74,209 people had been affected by the calamity. Of the figure, 19 families composed of 61 people are staying in two evacuation centers. The OCD-Bicol said it is mobilizing support and resources to address the needs of the people who are reeling from ashfall.
Drills, naval exercises mark Balikatan 2025

2 weeks ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — Live fire drills and joint naval maneuvers – mostly in the waters of Zambales – marked the first three days of the Balikatan exercises of Philippine and US forces. Lt. Col.
Beijing denies interfering in Philippine elections

2 weeks ago | philstar.com | Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — China has denied accusations that it is influencing or interfering in the midterm elections set next month in the Philippines. At a press briefing yesterday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China is not even interested in the polls.