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China’s conditions hinder joint oil exploration in South China Sea By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Marcos said China’s continued push for its laws to govern the South China Sea hinders the possibility of a joint oil exploration between Manila and Beijing in the region. “We always come up against the
same argument between China and the Philippines because when we say that we would like to explore, they insist that these areas are in Chinese territory, and therefore Chinese law must prevail,” the President said during a forum with the Foreign Correspondents
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 62 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024
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No new EDCA bases—Marcos Balikatan exercises may be expanded to include Japan
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RESIDENT Marcos said Monday the United States would not be given access to more military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement that allows American troops to rotate through and store defense equipment and supplies in the Philippines. “The answer to that is no. The Philippines has no plan to open or to establish more EDCA bases,” Mr. Marcos said during a forum with the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines that was attended by senior members of the Philippine military and foreign diplomats. His remarks came days after a trilateral summit between the United States, Japan and the Philippines in Washington where Next page
Gov’t won’t allow ICC to arrest Rody By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos said he would not hand over his predecessor to the International Criminal Court (ICC) regardless of the ongoing tirades coming from former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Transport strike fails to paralyze Metro THE Metropolitan Manila Development Au- public transportation. command center, which receives road-related thority (MMDA) reported that the first day of MMDA chairman Don Artes stated that no reports and calls. the two-day transport strike in the National stranded passengers were reported or moniAs of press time, no disruptions were also Capital Region (NCR) had minimal impact on tored as of 9 a.m. Monday in their Makati City Next page
ONE MORE TRY. Striking drivers on Monday paste stickers on a jeepney that will be affected by the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Plan, which will take effect on April 30. The transport strike ends today. Manny Palmero
Too many excuses on Rody-Xi secret deal—PBBM By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos said the alleged “secret deal” between former president Rodrigo Duterte and Beijing on the West Philippine Sea has “many excuses”. The President stressed during the presidential forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the
P13.3-B SHABU BUST LARGEST EVER—DILG NEWS / A3
Philippines on Monday that it is difficult to get answers relating to the “gentleman’s agreement”. “We still have to find out what it is all about. I have tried to get in touch with former officials of the previous administration who could possibly have been involved in these discussions. And, I have to tell you, I haven’t gotten a straight answer out of anyone,” the
Alvarez may face ethics probe over ‘seditious’ call NEWS / A4 During FOCAP’s 50th Anniversary Presidential Forum, Mr. Marcos was asked if he would allow the ICC to arrest Duterte over Next page
President stated. The President underscored that he has three questions as regards the secret deal: Is there such an agreement? What is contained in the secret agreement, and why is it secret? “These are very simple questions, but I’m finding it difficult to arrive at the answers because I hear one thing, Next page
PH worries over Iran, Israel conflict By Rey E. Requejo
DOE sees no
THE Department of Foreign Affairs oil price surge (DFA) said the Philippines has expressed concern over developments NEWS / A2 in the Middle East as Iran launched a retaliatory attack on Israel amid the latter’s ongoing war with Hamas mili- parties to refrain from escalating the situation and work toward a peaceful tants in Gaza. The DFA on Monday also urged all resolution of the conflict. “The Philippines expresses its serious
#ANONGBALITA
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MARCOS AT FOCAP. President Marcos grins as he answers questions from members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) after addressing them on the occasion of the group’s 50th anniversary on Monday. PCO Photo
‘I felt bad for your butt’, Macron tells French diver
Chavit doubles reward for traffic enforcers to P200k
Alden, Jericho wooing Kathryn, says Ogie Diaz
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