Category: General

PALAWAN, Philippines — A vessel from China's People's Liberation Army Navy, identified by its bow number 578, was detected on Sunday morning within close proximity to the ongoing "Balikatan" multilateral maritime exercise off the coast of Palawan. The ship was spotted approximately seven to eight nautical miles from the exercise flotilla, navigating in the northern waters of Palawan as of the latest reports, stated Western Command (Wescom) spokesperson Capt. Ariel Joseph Coloma.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Wescom is actively monitoring the Chinese naval vessel and reporting its activities as part of their standard procedure. "I cannot speak for them, but we are monitoring them, and we record then we report whatever our ships are monitoring in the area," Coloma remarked during an interview. He further noted that a different PLAN vessel, with bow number 793 spotted the previous day, was no longer in the area.

The maritime exercises, which started on April 25 and will conclude on April 29, involved Filipino, American, and French naval vessels conducting search and rescue training alongside a photographic exercise on Sunday. The ships participating included the Philippine Navy's offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) and landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602); the US Navy's landing ship dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49); and the French Navy's Floreal-class frigate FS Vendémiaire (FFH-734).

Despite the presence of the uninvited PLAN vessel, Capt. Coloma stated that there was no provocation and the ongoing exercises were not disrupted. "As long as we continue to monitor and report them, we are in control of the situation, and besides, the exercises are still ongoing," he added.

SOFIA – During a panel at Sofia University, Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev argued that news should be considered a human right rather than a commodity. The discussion was part of a science readings event held by the university's Faculty of Law, marking the anniversaries of philosophers Immanuel Kant and Tseko Torbov.

According to Philippines News Agency, who spoke on the second day of the event in a panel titled "The Challenges of Information Society," news agencies need to reconsider their traditional revenue models. He proposed that access to BTA’s news be free, a shift from the more than 120-year practice of subscription-based services prevalent worldwide. This proposal was accepted by the Parliament, backed by the rationale that if misinformation is readily and freely available, authentic news should be equally accessible without charge.

Valchev explained this new approach at international forums of news agency executives, highlighting the conflict between a commercial news model and the philosophical values that prioritize 'good will' and natural rights over wealth and property rights. He cited Kant to support his thesis on "The Right to Knowledge as a Fundamental Human Right," emphasizing that the right to information stems from this fundamental right, akin to the right to education. Therefore, he argued, it is imperative for societies and states to fund and maintain independent news media as educational and cultural institutions, ensuring all citizens have free access to factual information.

NEW YORK—The Philippine Consulate General in New York has reported a significant reduction in hate crimes targeting Asian and Filipino immigrants in the state.

According to Philippines News Agency, while hate crimes persist, those specifically targeting Asian immigrants have notably decreased.

Mangalile emphasized during a briefing with Filipino journalists at the Philippine Center in Manhattan that the prevalence of Asian hate crimes in New York has diminished. He attributed the initial rise in these crimes to pandemic-induced stereotypes but noted that such incidents are no longer occurring, urging continued vigilance and personal safety precautions among the community.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020 and concluded in 2023, incited rhetoric that unfairly blamed Asian immigrants for the spread of the virus in the United States, leading to a surge in racially motivated attacks. A 2021 study by Stop Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate highlighted that Filipinos were the third most targeted Asian group for hate incidents in the U.S., following Chinese and Koreans.

Official statistics from the 2023 US Commission on Civil Rights report indicated that assaults formally classified as Asian hate crimes in New York state escalated from 31 incidents in 2020 to 140 in 2021, with 131 of these occurring in New York City alone.

Filipino caregiver Belinda Thomas, a Manhattan resident for 16 years, corroborated the consulate's observations, noting her personal experience of safety in the city. Similarly, Marivir Montebon, a Filipino journalist based in Queens, reported a lack of recent hate crime incidents against Asians in the last few months, though she remains cautious due to the general prevalence of hate crimes in the area.

KAMPUNG KIARONG - The Nationwide Mosque Youth Group held its first Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration on April 28th afternoon, which included the presentation of appointment letters to its new executive committee members for the 2024 - 2026 term and certificates to outgoing members of the 2022 - 2024 session.

According to Radio Television Brunei, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary for Administration and Finance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the event, held at Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, aims to strengthen community bonds and celebrate collective achievements.

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Public Works Department announced a temporary half-lane closure on the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Highway at the Hassanal Bolkiah Flyover, heading towards Sungai Akar. The closure will facilitate maintenance works and is scheduled from 10 PM to 5 AM daily until May 29th. Road users are urged to adhere to posted traffic signs and speed limits during this period.

According to Radio Television Brunei, a similar half-lane closure will occur on Jalan Sekolah for pedestrian bridge maintenance, from April 29 to April 30, 2024, between 10 PM and 5 AM.

MUKIM MENTIRI - The three-day voting process to select the Village Head for Zone 3 of the Panchor National Housing Scheme concluded on the morning of April 28th with Awang Muhammad Hilmy bin Haji Ahmad emerging as the newly elected head.

According to Radio Television Brunei, Acting Brunei Muara District Officer, the village head plays a crucial role in fostering understanding, unity, and cooperation among community members. The event, attended by a Member of the Legislative Council, also reported significant voter participation in Temburong District where 147 out of 174 registered voters cast their ballots at Amo Primary School.

KAMPUNG MERAGANG - The Munajat Night, an evening dedicated to spiritual reflection and prayer, took place on April 27th at Az-Zakireen Mosque. The event was organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Development.

According to Radio Television Brunei, Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister of Religious Affairs, such gatherings are vital for spiritual growth and community bonding. The ceremony included a tazkirah emphasizing the significance of zikir as a form of worship and connection with the divine.

Bangkok - His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam arrived in Bangkok on April 28, 2024, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Brunei Darussalam and Thailand. The relations were established on January 1, 1984. During his visit, His Majesty is expected to engage in discussions on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. At Suvarnabhumi International Airport, His Majesty was received by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, along with other dignitaries including the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei and the Bruneian and Thai ambassadors.

According to Radio Television Brunei, His Majesty was introduced to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Thailand, who will serve as the Minister-in-Attendance during the visit, and the Thai Ambassador to Brunei.

KAMPUNG SENGKURONG - An art exhibition entitled 'Langkah' featuring a portrait painting of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien commenced this month at the Creative Space Art Gallery and Studio.

According to Radio Television Brunei, the month-long exhibition includes over 80 works spanning abstract and portrait genres, with pieces priced between one hundred to four thousand dollars. The exhibition aims to encourage both seasoned and emerging local artists in their creative endeavors.

MANILA – The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has announced readiness to deploy its fleet of vehicles to aid commuters during a three-day transport strike set to coincide with the end of the jeepney franchise consolidation on April 30. The NCRPO will utilize all 90 of its available vehicles from Monday to Wednesday to provide free transportation, particularly during peak travel times.

According to Philippines News Agency, chief information officer of the NCRPO, the vehicles will be on standby to assist those affected by the disruption. Additionally, NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that 7,957 officers would be deployed to maintain public safety and that all personnel were placed on full alert as part of the contingency planning.

The transport strike, prompted by the mandatory consolidation of jeepney franchises under the public utility vehicle modernization program, follows a declaration by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that there would be no further extensions beyond the April 30 deadline.

In response to the anticipated disruptions, the Department of Education (DepEd) has suspended face-to-face classes in all public schools across the nation, citing both the strike and the persistently high heat index as reasons. The DepEd has directed that all public schools implement asynchronous learning or distance education for April 29 and 30. It also stated that school personnel are not required to be physically present at their workplaces on these dates.

However, the advisory does not apply to private schools. The DepEd has also mentioned that regional and school division offices may continue with scheduled activities like the Regional Athletic Association Meets, provided that safety measures are adequately addressed.

JOYFUL GARDEN - The 'Perjalanan Kebudayaan Berhari Raya' event, a cultural initiative, was held on the evening of April 27th at Joyful Garden, Kampung Subok. This event was organized by Joyful Garden in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

According to Radio Television Brunei, Acting Director of Culture and Arts, the event aimed to spread and showcase cultural arts to the school community, departments, and the general public. The evening also featured performances by the Senandung Budaya Group.

MANILA - Following the successful passage of 20 priority legislative measures, the House of Representatives is set to enhance its oversight role when the session resumes on Monday. This shift focuses on monitoring and evaluating the implementation of laws and policies, ensuring governmental accountability and transparency.

According to Philippines News Agency, the measures, which align with the goals set by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council, were all approved before the March 23 deadline, three months ahead of schedule. This success allows the House to now concentrate on its oversight responsibilities, a critical function for maintaining the integrity of democratic institutions.

Romualdez outlined that the House will prioritize oversight on three key issues: the high prices of rice and other essential commodities, cybersecurity threats facing government agencies, and contentious matters related to the West Philippine Sea. This focused oversight aims to address inefficiencies and safeguard public interests by scrutinizing government actions more closely.