The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has just released the following to explain to Filipinos its actions on the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) conflict. To the Philippines, “China is a good friend. Arbitration is a peaceful and amicable process to settle a dispute between and among friends. ” Q & A on the UNCLOS Arbitral Proceedings against China to [...]
Looking for heroes, I talk to an ex-general now chasing onions
By Raïssa Robles This interview with Customs Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim and the accompanying sidebar on smuggling were recently published in Asian Dragon magazine. I am posting these with the magazine’s permission. If the former jailed rebel general Danilo Lim continues to look grim these days, he has good reason to be. Lim, 56, has been handed the chance [...]
Yesterday, my schedule was INSANE
By Raïssa Robles Sorry, I haven’t been able to blog. I’ve been busy chasing so many deadlines, so many forums, briefings and interviews. A case of information and coverage overload. Yesterday, especially, my schedule was INSANE. I had to get up before dawn to get to Resorts World across NAIA Terminal 3. No, not to gamble in , but to [...]
PNoy signed letter of apology on the Luneta bus hostage rescue fiasco
By Raïssa Robles But the problem is, the letter was never delivered because Beijing never gave the go-signal for Vice President Jejomar Binay to hand-carry the letter there. When Binay flew to Beijing in February, he did not carry the letter with him, China’s envoy to Manila Liu Jianchao confirmed in reply to my question during his press briefing [...]
Demand PNoy’s apology for hostage rescue fiasco, President Hu Jintao is petitioned by victims’ relatives
Relatives angered by cloth stuffed in victim’s skull and ambulances without first aid kits By Raissa Robles Relatives who lost their loved ones during last year’s Luneta bus hostage tragedy have taken the unprecedented step of writing directly to Chinese President Hu Jintao to tack the issue onto the agenda of Philippine President Benigno Aquino’s state visit to China next week. [...]