News Report 31 January 2019 Local
1. Military launches offensive in Sulu
The Philippine Star, 31 January 2019, p. 1, continued on p. 12
The military said it is executing President Duterte’s order for an all-out offensive against the terror group, following the Jolo cathedral bombing last weekend. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman and civil military operation chief of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) however emphasized the ongoing offensive would not affect civilian communities. Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Westmincom chief, vowed an intensified military operation until the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu is obliterated.
2. China invites Rody to 2nd Belt & Road Forum
The Philippine Star, 31 January 2019, p. 1, continued on p. 5
China has invited President Duterte to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in April. Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua extended the invitation to Duterte for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Korea
3. ‘Probe $85-M Landbank loan to Hanjin’
Business Mirror, 31 January 2019, p. A1, continued on p. A8
THE Philippine Maize Federation Inc. (PhilMaize) has formally written to President Duterte urging him to investigate the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) for extending a loan of $85 million to South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil).
PhilMaize argued that the government should also scrutinize LandBank’s loan portfolio to determine if it had been faithful to its mandate of prioritizing the agriculture sector.
Economic
4. Indonesia oil giant mulls $1-B LNG project in Phl
The Philippine Star, 31 January 2019, p. B1, continued on p. B4
Indonesia’s second biggest crude oil producer, PT Pertamina, is looking to invest $1 billion for the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Philippines through a regasification hub project, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
5. PHL looks to Israeli firms for agriculture technology, investment Business World, 31 January 2019, p. 5
The Philippines is looking to tap Israeli expertise and investment to develop the agriculture sector, according to the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said he hopes to enlist Israeli technology to help irrigate 500,000 hectares of farmland over the next three years to help boost rice production.
He also said he hopes to explore cooperation in five key areas: solar irrigation, drone technology, dairy farming, aquaculture, and greenhouse technology.
