News Report
15 November 2018 Local
1. Single draft of SCS code of conduct vowed
The Philippine Star, 15 November 2018, p. 1, continued on p. 14
Speaking at the ASEAN-China summit in Singapore, President Duterte said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China continue to affirm the importance of
maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and over- flight in the South China Sea.
The president also vowed that the ASEAN would reach an agreement at “all costs” on the code of conduct (COC) in the disputed South China Sea while the regional bloc continues to work on a single draft.
2. Tired Rody misses 3 ASEAN side meetings The Philippine Star, 15 November 2018, p. 2
Citing lack of rest, President Duterte was the lone head of state who missed at least three special summits held with Australia, South Korea and the working lunch hosted by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the sidelines of the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit here.
Some presidential aides said Duterte needed to rest since he slept at around 2 a.m.
3. ‘Phl security compromised with China to telco infra’
The Philippine Star, 15 November 2018, p. 1, continued on p. 14
Giving China access to our communications infrastructure is a serious threat to national security, according to House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez. “There is Korean and even Japanese technology, why don’t we use it,” he said.
He also pointed out that China already owns 40 percent of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP). “They already have electricity; will telecommunications be theirs too? They might take water as well. That’s my foremost concern,” he further said.
4. Palawan’s El Nido under rehabilitation
The Philippine Star, 15 November 2018, p. 1, continued on p. 14
After Boracay, the government has launched a rehabilitation program for another top tourist
destination, the resort town of El Nido in Palawan. The rehabilitation starts with the shutdown of 22 tourism-oriented establishments found violating various environmental laws, including being built too close to the sea, according to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. Unlike in Boracay, however, there will be no total shutdown of El Nido.
Korea
5. DND-SoKor firm ink deal to co-produce armored vests, helmets Manila Bulletin, 15 November 2018, p. 1, continued on p. 10
Philippine Government Arsenal (GA) Director Daniel R. Casabar, Jr., and SAMYANG Comtech Co. Ltd President Kim Jong Il of South Korea signed an implementing arrangement Tuesday to co-produce Force Protection Equipment (FPE) to support the requirements of the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies.
The Department of National Defense said SAMYANG Comtech Co. Ltd will establish FPE
manufacturing and testing facilities in the GA complex and eventually transfer to the Government Arsenal the technology needed in the production and testing of FPE, primarily armor vests and ballistic helmets.
6. Greenpeace: Not the first time SoKor dumped trash in PHL Business Mirror, 15 November 2018, p. A2
The recent shipment of plastics and other waste materials to Cagayan de Oro was not the first time South Korea dumped its garbage to the Philippines, the environmental group Greenpeace.
Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Abigail Aguilar said that in 2017 South Korea “exported” 4,397 tons of plastic waste to Philippines. This year, from January to September, South Korea has already shipped 11,588 tons of plastic waste to the country, “which is more than double compared to the previous year.
Economic
7. Xi’s Nov visit to hasten implementation of China funded projects – DBM Chief Business Mirror, 15 November 2018, p. A2
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) expressed optimism on Wednesday that the forthcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippines this month could hasten the implementation of projects funded by the Chinese official development assistance (ODA).
From the $9-billion funding commitment from China to the Philippines, around $3 billion has already been allocated on infrastructure projects or the government’s “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program.
The Chinese head of state is expected to visit this month after the 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Papua New Guinea.
