10k-man task force ready for Bato arrest —DILG
Metro Manila, Philippines – Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said a 10,000-man task force is on standby for the possible arrest of Senator Bato dela Rosa once the reported International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant is issued. Amid floating rumors of the released warrant on Saturday, May 9, Remulla said he has yet to receive any confirmation from the ICC. “None yet to my information,” Remulla told NewsWatch Plus. “The DILG is preparing a 10k task force for the dragnet operations in case a warrant of arrest for Senator Bato is issued,” he added. Malacañang has yet to comment on the reported existence of an ICC arrest warrant. Dela Rosa served as the chief implementor of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. Duterte is now awaiting trial before the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity tied to the anti-drug campaign.
ASEAN leaders push fuel reserve, emergency energy sharing response to Middle East crisis
Cebu, Philippines – Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to expedite plans for a regional fuel reserve and emergency energy-sharing mechanism in response to the protracted Middle East conflict that has shaken oil supply stability and pushed fuel prices up. Speaking during a press conference at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu on May 8, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said regional leaders agreed to prioritize energy security. “In the past two months alone, rising oil prices driven by the Middle East conflict have pushed up the cost of basic goods and placed ASEAN nationals in harm’s way around the world,” Marcos said. A major focus of the summit discussions was on fuel security. “First, we called for the expedited ratification of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security, which ensures mutual support among Member States during supply shortages,” Marcos said. The agreement seeks to establish a…
Marcos pushes ASEAN maritime center over ‘unreadable’ South China Sea issue
Cebu, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pushed for the establishment of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Maritime Center in the country, as the situation in the South China Sea is becoming increasingly “unreadable”. Speaking during a press conference at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Marcos said regional leaders reached a broad consensus on the proposed maritime center, which aims to strengthen coordination on maritime security, navigation safety, and regional maritime policy. “I suppose as the situation in the South China Sea becomes more, shall we say, unreadable, this becomes more important that there will be a central repository for maritime issues and maritime policy that will apply to ASEAN members,” Marcos said. The proposal forms part of the newly adopted ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation, a key outcome document endorsed during the summit. Marcos said the proposed center is not intended to target or confront…
ASEAN open to suggestions on speeding up fuel security —Marcos
Cebu, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders are open to suggestions on how to speed up regional fuel-sharing and energy security mechanisms as the region grapples with the impact of the Middle East crisis. During a press conference at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu on Friday, May8, Marcos acknowledged frustrations over the pace of operationalizing regional energy arrangements, but added that the leaders were already treating the matter with urgency. “The understanding of everybody is that it is all ASAP. Everything is as soon as possible,” Marcos said. “We needed it last month. Forget about next month, six months, a year from now. We needed it yesterday,” he added. However, Marcos said ASEAN still needs to finalize the operational details of the proposed regional fuel reserve system and energy-sharing arrangements. Among the unresolved issues are fuel storage, supply sharing, and priority…
Kaufman to withdraw as Duterte counsel
Metro Manila, Philippines – British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman has formally asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to withdraw himself as lead counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte in his crimes against humanity case before the tribunal. In a filing dated May 8, Kaufman informed the ICC Trial Chamber III that Duterte decided to reorganize his defense team ahead of the trial. “The Defence team visited Mr Duterte and documented both Mr Duterte’s release of Counsel from his representation and his desire to hire a replacement Counsel,” the filing stated. Kaufman said the replacement counsel, whose name was redacted in the public version of the filing, had already confirmed readiness to immediately assume Duterte’s legal representation. He also assured the court that Duterte’s legal representation would remain uninterrupted. “I am convinced that the continuity and efficacy of Mr Duterte’s representation will remain assured through [REDACTED], who has a wealth of experience…
