Day: April 26, 2024

Defense officials of South Korea, the United States and Japan condemned North Korea’s purported satellite launch, ballistic missile tests and weapons transfers to Russia during their virtual talks this week, the three countries said Thursday.

South Korea’s Deputy Defense Minister for Policy Cho Chang-rae, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner and Japan’s Director General for Defense Policy Koji Kano attended the 14th Defense Trilateral Talks (DTT) on Wednesday.

“They condemned the DPRK’s recent diversification of nuclear delivery systems, tests and launches of multiple ballistic missiles, the launch of what the DPRK purports to be a military reconnaissance satellite using ballistic missile technology, illicit ship-to-ship transfers, and arms shipments with Russia as clear violations of multiple U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions,” they said in a joint statement.

DPRK stands for the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The talks
came as Pyongyang plans to launch multiple reconnaissance satellites this year despite international criticism that such launches run afoul of UNSC resolutions banning any launch using ballistic missile technology. It put its first spy satellite into orbit in November.

The officials reaffirmed that a North Korean nuclear test, if conducted, would be met with a “strong and resolute” response from the international community. They also urged Pyongyang to cease all “destabilizing” activities immediately.

But they reiterated that “the path to dialogue remains open toward peaceful and diplomatic resolution” with the North.

The three sides affirmed their commitment to redoubling efforts in support of “effective” sanctions implementation as they noted Russia’s recent veto blocking the renewal of the mandate of a U.N. expert panel monitoring sanctions enforcement.

With the veto, the expert panel, seen as a crucial platform to ensure sanctions compliance, will cease to exist on Tuesday.

The officials acknowledged
that the three countries’ enhanced security cooperation contributes to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the Indo-Pacific region.

They also sent a message apparently intended for China.

“They emphasized the importance of the rule of law and expressed strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. They … stressed the importance of fully respecting freedom of navigation and overflight,” they said,

“Additionally, they recognized that there is no change in their basic positions on Taiwan, and emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community.”

The officials agreed to hold the 15th DTT gathering later this year in South Korea.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: Northern Mindanao accounted for 4.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) at 5.5 percent last year, a point less compared to the 5.6 percent in 2022, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report on Friday.

It ranked seventh among all regions in terms of GDP contribution, which the National Capital Region topped at 31.2 percent.

In terms of growth, Northern Mindanao ranked ninth nationwide and second among the regions in Mindanao, following Davao.

Central Visayas posted the fastest growth at 7.3 percent in 2023; Western Visayas ranked second at 7.2 percent; and Ilocos Region third at 7.1 percent.

“Region 10 expanded by 5.3 percent in 2023 with a 55.8 percent share of the GDP and the highest growth of 7.8 percent,” Dr. Janith Aves, PSA Region 10 Officer-in-Charge, said in a statement Friday.

The PSA report also said the Region 10 industry sector grew by 3.8 percent in 2023 from the 6.6 percent growth in the previous year; services recorded a growth of 7
.8 percent in 2023 from 10.1 percent in the previous year; and agriculture, forestry, and fishing grew by 0.3 percent from a 0.5 percent in 2022.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with his Lithuanian counterpart to discuss bilateral cooperation as the Lithuanian Embassy opened here Friday, his office said.

During their talks, Cho congratulated Gabrielius Landsbergis on the inauguration of the embassy in Seoul earlier this day, saying it will serve as an “important milestone” in the development of their bilateral ties.

Landsbergis is visiting Seoul to attend the opening ceremony of the inauguration.

He stressed that the embassy opened in Seoul given the importance of Vilnius’ relations with South Korea and the Indo-Pacific region, according to the ministry.

The envoy also offered to provide the necessary support for opening the South Korean Embassy in Lithuania.

The two sides agreed to work closely in high-tech industries, such as energy and bio, and discussed the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

MALASIQUI: The provincial government of La Union has distributed PHP1.7 million worth of agricultural inputs to 40 farmer groups in preparation for the upcoming wet cropping season.

Since April 18, the groups have been given 15 bags of urea (fertilizers), 20 bags of fertilizer called Complete, 10 bags of ammonium phosphate, five bags of muriate of potash, 50 bags of organic fertilizers, and five bottles each of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, the La Union Provincial Information Office said Friday.

The beneficiaries are from Bacnotan, Bangar, Luna, San Juan, Agoo, Bauang, Rosario, and Naguilian towns.

Aside from the farm input distribution, La Union Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David, in a statement Friday, said the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) also conducted the La Union Clustered Hybrid Advocacy Mentoring Partnership (LU-CHAMP) Technology Demonstration, which aims to maximize the potential of different hybrid rice varieties and capacitate farmers as they foster innovation
in their practices.

“We promised the farmers that the provincial government will continue to initiate programs to boost agriculture in the province and uplift the livelihood of the farmers,” she said in Filipino.

For one, the provincial government has a PHP3 million emergency trust fund that El Niño-affected registered farmers and fisherfolk can tap into.

“We have seen that first to be affected (by the dry spell) are farmers and fisherfolk so we have allocated funds for their insurance and farm equipment and vegetable seeds that are drought-resistant,” Ortega-David said.

These measures are aimed to bolster agricultural productivity and promote food sufficiency in the province and are aligned with La Union’s vision to be the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025, she added.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Supreme Court has finalized a ruling ordering the state to pay 10 million won (US$7,269) in compensation to former Justice Minister Cho Kuk for illegally collecting information through a state spy agency during previous conservative administrations, judicial officials said Friday.

Cho filed a damages suit seeking 200 million won against the state in 2021, claiming that the National Intelligence Service had conducted illegal surveillance on him and instigated negative public sentiment in 2011 and 2016, when former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye were in office.

A district court ordered the state to pay 50 million won to Cho, combining the two cases into one comprehensive surveillance act, but the appeals court reduced the amount to 10 million won after judging the statute of limitations for the case in 2011 had expired.

The statute of limitations for a damages suit brought against the state expires three years after the day the plaintiff becomes aware of the damage, and five years after the
damage occurred.

Both parties appealed the decision to the top court, but the ruling was finalized without an official court hearing, judging there were no errors in the previous rulings.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Dubai: The highly anticipated 10th Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition (PPIE), the Philippines’ largest international property and investment show, is set to return to Dubai on May 11-12, 2024.

This year’s annual event will take place at The Bristol Hotel, Deira, Dubai, aiming to spotlight the Philippines’ robust economic performance, positioning the country as a premier investment hub in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

In 2023, the Philippines achieved remarkable economic growth, surpassing key Asian economies with a 5.6 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate. Overseas remittances also hit a record high of AED136.5 billion, driving positive momentum for the real estate market.

The surge in demand for real properties in the Philippines, especially from overseas Filipinos and foreign investors, reflects the country’s attractiveness as an investment hub.

The participation of leading real estate investment firms in the Philippines like Ayala Land, Hotel 101, RLC
Residences, and Rockwell Land, as recurring major exhibitors in this year’s highly anticipated event not only meets this demand but also highlights PPIE’s enduring legacy and significance in the investment landscape.

In a statement, Alfonso Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, commended the event, stating: ‘The return of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition this year highlights the robust growth of the Philippines’ investment and real estate sectors, particularly in the UAE. This growth signifies the increasing confidence in the Philippine economy. I commend the NPM Group for organizing this event, which brings together leading developers from the Philippines to encourage investment from Filipino and foreign investors.’

Marford Angeles, Philippine Consul General in Dubai, underscored the exhibition’s contribution to showcasing investment opportunities and empowering Filipino professionals and entrepreneurs, stating: ‘This year, as we celebrate a decade of the largest Philippine real estate ev
ent in the UAE, with an inspiring community nearing one million strong Filipinos, we also mark half a century of fruitful relations between our two nations.The exhibition, a pivotal platform, has not only showcased the best investment opportunities to our kababayans but also played a crucial role in shifting the narrative of migrant Filipinos from one of low-skilled workers to one of empowered professionals and successful entrepreneurs.’

Karen Remo, CEO and founder of New Perspective Media Group, organizer of PPIE, expressed confidence in the Philippines as an economic powerhouse, reaffirming PPIE’s commitment to promoting it as a top investment event, stating: ‘The 6.4 percent projected growth rate this year makes the Philippines an economic powerhouse in the ASEAN region. This fills us at NPM with an even greater sense of confidence as we showcase our country as a premier investment hub and be a one-stop-shop for all savings and investments needs for Filipinos and non-Filipinos wanting to invest in the Phi
lippines.’

‘From its very inception in 2014, PPIE has served as a conduit of progress for our nation, and the return of our annual international exhibition underscores our unwavering commitment to this cause. Through our ongoing efforts to promote financial literacy among overseas Filipinos, such as through our signature event like the PPIE, we’ve fostered a culture of saving and investment that will positively impact lives for generations to come,’ she added.

Vince Ang, chief operating officer of NPM Group, said ‘PPIE was born from NPM’s desire to see every overseas Filipino thrive, even after retirement. This vision remains strong. We invite Filipinos and other UAE-based investors to join us for the 10th edition of PPIE. Together, we’ll learn how to manage finances, invest smartly, and gain new skills for the future. This free, two-day event is all about making informed choices today for a brighter tomorrow.’

PPIE will feature a diverse range of real estate, financial and business solutions and services,
along with more than 50 keynotes and forums from over 50 industry experts and corporate leaders from top property developers in the Philippines, as well as UAE-based businesses and organizations.

Aligned with this year’s theme, ‘Discover, Invest and Thrive: Revealing the Beauty of Philippine Investments,’ PPIE will promote investment opportunities including those in the growing tourism sector – showing how investing in the Philippines provides both financial benefits and promoting the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

By showcasing these aspects, the event aims to highlight the attractiveness and potential of investing in the Philippines, welcoming overseas Filipinos and foreign investors to participate in the investment event.

PPIE continues to make history in the Gulf region by attracting high-level delegations from the Philippines and the UAE, featuring the Philippine Economic and Investment Summit (PEIS), and welcoming over 2,500 quality visitors every year for the past nine editions.

Source
: Philippines News Agency