PH BUYS $700-M 12 FA-50 COMBAT JETS FROM SOKOR
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 119 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES JUNE 15, 2025
By Rex Espiritu www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
THE Philippines acquired 12 FA-50 Block 70 light combat jets from Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) of South Korea as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program, the Department of National Defense said Saturday. Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said a Notice to Proceed was issued earlier this month, formalizing the contract valued at over $700 million. The comprehensive package includes mission equipment, integrated logistics support, and a training and logistics information system. “Its acquisition marks a significant enhancement to the country’s air defense capabilities and aligns with the DND’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept,” Andolong said. The delivery of the aircraft will be carried out in phases over the next five years, with full completion targeted by 2030. “The acquisition underscores the Philippine government’s continued commitment to national defense and further strengthens bilateral defense cooperation with the Republic of Korea,” Andolong added. The Korea-made combat jet represents the latest evolution of the FA-50 platform, featuring advanced avionics, modern radar systems, and extended operational range. The Philippine Air Force said proposals to acquire additional FA-50s are under Rehorizon 3 of the modernization initiative.
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‘WIDER INDO-PAC SECURITY TREATY TO DETER CHINA AGGRESSIVE ACTS’ By Charles Dantes and Rex Espiritu UP IN THE AIR. A colorful hot air balloon lifts off against the backdrop of Mayon Volcano
as the three-day Bicol Loco Festival kicks off on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The Department of Tourism in Bicol expects more than 500,000 tourists from Metro Manila, nearby provinces, and other regions to witness the event. DOT-REGION 5
DMW MIDEAST OFFICES ON HEIGHTENED ALERT
PH READIES POSSIBLE EVAC PLAN AMID IRAN-ISRAEL UNREST
A UNITED States defense official said a collective security arrangement in the Indo-Pacific will be a better deterrence to China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea. Under such a security treaty, “an attack on one is an attack on all,” the US official told a small group of journalists that included GMA News Online in a security briefing in Hawaii. The official, who asked not to be named, noted Beijing’s growing military capability and larger fleets of ships, but an attack on Taiwan may not be imminent. Earlier this month, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that China was “credibly preparing” to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia – remarks that earned a sharp rebuke from Beijing. The Pentagon chief said: “The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent.” Turn to Page 4
By Charles Dantes
T
HE Department of Migrant Workers placed all its offices in the Middle East on heightened alert following orders from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to protect the welfare of over 2 million Filipinos working in the region as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate.
Undersecretary Bernard Olalia on Saturday said the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) are ready to respond should the conflict spread, including the possible evacuation of overseas Filipino workers if necessary. This as Israel’s defense minister warned Saturday that “Tehran will burn” and its residents pay dearly if Iran continues its missile strikes against Israeli civilians. “If (Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei continues to fire missiles toward the Israeli home front – Tehran will burn,” minister Israel Katz said. Olalia said the DMW is closely monitoring the situation not just in Israel and Iran, but across the entire region. “The Department of Migrant Workers is now on heightened alert. All front offices, especially the Migrant Offices in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and other countries in the Middle East, because they are affected by the unrest,” he said. Labor attachés and staff have been placed on 24-hour duty, all
leaves have been suspended, and emergency hotlines have been activated for continuous operations, he added. The government said it remains in close coordination with embassies and partner agencies in the Middle East. The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has activated its crisis management team to enable quick response amid the developing security situation in the Middle East. “The Embassy urges the Filipino community to follow the Israel Defense Force Home Front Command’s security guidelines and the Embassy’s safety advisories, as well as to be alert and ready to act,” the embassy said. For emergency assistance, the Philippine Embassy in Israel may be reached 24/7 at its emergency hotline at +972 54 4661188 and email address: telaviv.pe@dfa.gov.ph. The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said no Filipino has been reported hurt in the trade of air strikes between Iran and Israel. Based on the latest DFA data, there are 30,742 Filipinos in Israel and at least 1,180 in Iran, most of whom are
married to Iranian nationals. On Saturday, Israel and Iran exchanged fire a day after Israel unleashed strikes that Iran said hit its nuclear facilities, “martyred” top commanders and killed dozens of civilians.
Iran has hit back with waves of drone and missile strikes, with a barrage of dozens lighting up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv overnight, killing three people and wounding dozens. Turn to Page 4
ONSLAUGHT. Israeli emergency
responders inspect a site hit by a missile fired from Iran south of Tel Aviv on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Iran struck Israel early June 14, with barrages of missiles after a massive onslaught targeted the Islamic republic’s nuclear and military facilities, and killed several top generals. AFP
DOH : MEDICAL CHECKUP FOR FIRST-TIME SCHOOLERS By Charles Dantes
FOR THE SUPER DADS. This Father’s Day, it is all about super fun for the one and only Super Dad — only at SM City CDO Uptown. From epic eats to cool treats, arcade fun to chill finds — give dad a day that’s all about him.
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THE Department of Health will kick off routine medical screenings for first-time students as public schools reopen on June 16, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Saturday. The screenings, which will begin next week in various public schools, aim to identify early signs of nutrition deficiencies, vision problems, and hearing issues among first-time enrollees. The initiative was announced during a DOH road safety awareness event in
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Pasay City. “During Brigada Eskwela, we focused on checking teachers’ health. Now that classes are starting, we’re shifting our attention to first-time schoolers,” Herbosa said. The health department is also gearing up for its school-based immunization program, scheduled to begin in October. The vaccines, which include tetanus-diphtheria and HPV for young girls, are part of the DOH’s continuing efforts to safeguard students from preventable diseases.
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“These vaccines are part of the regular immunization schedule for schoolaged children, just as there are crucial vaccines during the first 1,000 days of life,” Herbosa said. Herbosa also urged DepEd to offer healthy food in school canteens and to limit processed snacks. He said he discussed regulating unhealthy school food with DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, promoting better nutrition like Japan’s nutritionist-planned meals. Turn to Page 4
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