Several vessels under repair to be deployed to West PH Sea: Philippine Navy chief | ABS-CBN
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Several vessels under repair to be deployed to West PH Sea: Philippine Navy chief
Several vessels under repair to be deployed to West PH Sea: Philippine Navy chief
Chiara Zambrano,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 16, 2021 10:37 PM PHT
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Updated Feb 16, 2021 11:11 PM PHT
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MANILA - The country's navy chief said Tuesday there are several vessels currently under repair that will be deployed to the West Philippine Sea, in response to the directive of Armed Forces chief-of-staff General Cirilito Sobejana.
MANILA - The country's navy chief said Tuesday there are several vessels currently under repair that will be deployed to the West Philippine Sea, in response to the directive of Armed Forces chief-of-staff General Cirilito Sobejana.
Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo said the Navy has never backed down from patrolling the West Philippine Sea and would continue to do so, with plans to increase not just the number of patrol sea craft but also the operational tempo of ships already there.
Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo said the Navy has never backed down from patrolling the West Philippine Sea and would continue to do so, with plans to increase not just the number of patrol sea craft but also the operational tempo of ships already there.
Shortly after his installation as AFP chief earlier February, Sobejana expressed concern over China's new law which authorizes its coast guard to fire at foreign vessels and tear down structures built by other countries.
Shortly after his installation as AFP chief earlier February, Sobejana expressed concern over China's new law which authorizes its coast guard to fire at foreign vessels and tear down structures built by other countries.
Calling the mandate “alarming” and a threat to the safety of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, Sobejana directed the Navy to send more sea craft to protect them.
Calling the mandate “alarming” and a threat to the safety of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, Sobejana directed the Navy to send more sea craft to protect them.
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The Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest over the China coast guard law.
The Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest over the China coast guard law.
Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana said meanwhile Chinese officials have sought to convince their Filipino counterparts that Beijing is "not targeting" the Philippines with the new law.
Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana said meanwhile Chinese officials have sought to convince their Filipino counterparts that Beijing is "not targeting" the Philippines with the new law.
“The Chinese have reassured us... that they are not targeting the Philippines or any specific country, and that they will not resort to force,” said Sta. Romana.
“The Chinese have reassured us... that they are not targeting the Philippines or any specific country, and that they will not resort to force,” said Sta. Romana.
The Philippines has maritime disputes with China, which aggressively asserts its claims over almost the entire West Philippine Sea, or internationally known as the South China Sea.
The Philippines has maritime disputes with China, which aggressively asserts its claims over almost the entire West Philippine Sea, or internationally known as the South China Sea.
Despite a 2016 ruling of a UN-backed tribunal which invalidates Beijing's expansive claims to the resource-rich waters, China has aggressively expanded its claims there, building military bases and testing its missiles over the sea.
Despite a 2016 ruling of a UN-backed tribunal which invalidates Beijing's expansive claims to the resource-rich waters, China has aggressively expanded its claims there, building military bases and testing its missiles over the sea.
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Most USAID workers to be fired or placed on leave
Most USAID workers to be fired or placed on leave
Agence France-Presse
Published Feb 24, 2025 11:26 AM PHT
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WASHINGTON - Most employees at USAID will be placed on leave or fired by midnight on Sunday, the aid agency said, as President Donald Trump's administration plows ahead in slashing government spending.
WASHINGTON - Most employees at USAID will be placed on leave or fired by midnight on Sunday, the aid agency said, as President Donald Trump's administration plows ahead in slashing government spending.
Around 1,600 workers based in the United States will be laid off in a "reduction-in-force" effort, according to a notice on the US Agency for International Development's website.
Around 1,600 workers based in the United States will be laid off in a "reduction-in-force" effort, according to a notice on the US Agency for International Development's website.
All other staff directly hired by USAID will be placed on administrative leave globally, except those responsible for "mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs."
All other staff directly hired by USAID will be placed on administrative leave globally, except those responsible for "mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs."
The move is a step forward in Trump's effort to dismantle USAID, which has more than 10,000 employees and operates an array of humanitarian and development programs around the world.
The move is a step forward in Trump's effort to dismantle USAID, which has more than 10,000 employees and operates an array of humanitarian and development programs around the world.
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The agency announced earlier this month that all staff would be placed on administrative leave -- a directive that faced legal challenges.
The agency announced earlier this month that all staff would be placed on administrative leave -- a directive that faced legal challenges.
But on Friday, a federal judge lifted an order pausing the Trump administration's implementation of plans to gut USAID.
But on Friday, a federal judge lifted an order pausing the Trump administration's implementation of plans to gut USAID.
In its statement on Sunday, the agency said that remaining staff expected to continue working would be informed by management by 5:00 pm (2200 GMT) that day.
In its statement on Sunday, the agency said that remaining staff expected to continue working would be informed by management by 5:00 pm (2200 GMT) that day.
USAID added that it will fund return travel expenses for staff based overseas.
USAID added that it will fund return travel expenses for staff based overseas.
"In the coming week, we will provide details on how to retrieve personal items from the former USAID workspaces and return government issued devices," it said.
"In the coming week, we will provide details on how to retrieve personal items from the former USAID workspaces and return government issued devices," it said.
Trump and his allies -- including billionaire donor Elon Musk -- allege USAID is rife with "fraud," but have provided little proof of the accusations.
Trump and his allies -- including billionaire donor Elon Musk -- allege USAID is rife with "fraud," but have provided little proof of the accusations.
Its budget of more than $40 billion is mandated by Congress, with its programs ranging from governance to life-saving food assistance.
Its budget of more than $40 billion is mandated by Congress, with its programs ranging from governance to life-saving food assistance.
The decades-old agency has, over the years, faced criticism in the aid sector for its overhead costs and questions on whether some of its programs achieve their objectives.
The decades-old agency has, over the years, faced criticism in the aid sector for its overhead costs and questions on whether some of its programs achieve their objectives.
USAID has, however, also been a key US tool of global "soft power" -- the ability of a country to persuade others through its attractiveness.
USAID has, however, also been a key US tool of global "soft power" -- the ability of a country to persuade others through its attractiveness.
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bur-bjt/sw
© Agence France-Presse
© Agence France-Presse
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