Day: May 10, 2024

A Pentagon spokesperson refused Thursday to comment on whether Seoul should provide lethal arms support to Ukraine, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol reaffirmed his administration’s policy against any provision of offensive weapons to the war-torn country.

Seoul has maintained a stance to offer humanitarian and non-lethal defense assistance to Ukraine, such as protective suits, demining equipment and other military supplies, though pressure has continued for arms support to the country.

“I will let the Republic of Korea (ROK) speak for itself when it comes to what they feel comfortable with providing to support Ukraine,” Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told a press briefing, referring to South Korea by its official name.

“The ROK is an incredible ally, and they certainly have provided non-lethal assistance to Ukraine and support the broader effort to deter and prevent Russian aggression in Ukraine,” he added.

Ryder also said that Washington is thankful to any country that backs Ukra
ine.

“We are just grateful for any nation that can contribute in some way to help send a clear signal to authoritarian regimes that invading your democratic, peaceful neighbor is not acceptable behavior,” he said.

During a press conference on Thursday (Korea time), Yoon said South Korea is doing its best to provide humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Ukraine but stands by its policy of not providing offensive, lethal weapons to any nation in conflict.

Ryder also responded to a question about Russia’s reported plan to conduct drills on the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, and the possibility of related military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.

“I’ve seen that reported in the press and I would just say again that it’s irresponsible, reckless saber-rattling,” he said. “That is dangerous given the current climate … international security environment.”

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) who will become junior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines by May 18 vowed to defend the country anytime.

Cadet Miguel Ponce Abesamis from Olongapo City said the moment he joined the institution in 2020, he had already instilled in his mind to be prepared for anything.

‘The mere fact that I decided to join this prestigious institution, I should be prepared for anything,’ he said on the sidelines of the formal announcement of PMA’s top graduating cadets of “Bagong Sinag” Class of 2024.

He said the academy taught and equipped him not just with physical and mental capabilities but also with skills and strategies in defense of the country.

‘Because of how PMA developed me, and the future officer that I would be, whatever happens in my area of specialization, I should be prepared to defend the people, country, territory,’ he said during a press conference.

Cadet Kim Harold Gilo, the Class’ No. 3 who is joining Abesamis in the Philippine Navy, vowed
to perform his best while asserting the country’s sovereignty and freedom.

‘We will do our best to hone ourselves and continuously develop ourselves to be ready anytime where the sovereignty of our country will be on the line,’ Gilo said.

PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Rowen Tolentino said part of the curriculum of the cadets is to expose them to the field and provide them with skills in territorial defense.

”Yung role nila as a platoon leader, ensign, pilots sa Air Force, kanya-kanyang role na sila for external defense, ‘yun na ‘yung nagiging focus ng mga scenario ng mga (Their roles as platoon leaders, ensign, pilots of the Air Force, they have their own roles for external defense and that is the focus of the scenarios during their) Joint Field Training Program Exercises,’ Tolentino said.

The graduation on May 18 will be composed of 224 males and 54 females.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The government plans to establish a state-led adoption system to better ensure the well-being of adoptees and reduce the number of children adopted overseas, health ministry officials said Friday.

The announcement of the adoption system reform comes ahead of the scheduled implementation of laws on overseas and domestic adoption in July next year, aimed at enhancing the rights and well-being of adoptees and adoptive families.

In the envisioned system, the central and the regional government will take over the adoption process, currently managed by private agencies, to facilitate the placement of adoptees with new parents and provide support for adoptive families.

Under the measures, local governments will permit adoption only when it is determined to be in the best interest of the child, and the heads of regional municipalities will assume the role of official guardians to safeguard the adoptees until the adoption process is completed.

The health ministry, meanwhile, will be responsible for selecting cand
idates for overseas adoption and verifying the qualifications of prospective adoptive parents.

As part of the adoption system reform, the health ministry will also seek a policy to minimize the number of children adopted abroad and promote domestic adoptions.

A total of 79 South Korean children were adopted abroad last year alone, the health ministry said, although the rate of overseas adoptions decreased to 34.5 percent last year from 43.8 percent in 2022.

Under the reform, the health ministry and an affiliate agency will together be tasked with providing consulting services and processing adoption applications from prospective adoptive parents.

In addition, the government will also provide future adoptive parents with preparenting courses and those willing to adopt children over 24 months old or with medical issues will be eligible for an expedited adoption process, the ministry officials said.

The qualification verification system for future adoptive parents will also be upgraded to more thoroughly as
sess financial and other qualifications.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

DUMAGUETE CITY: The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) Amlan-Siaton 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Negros Oriental has now reached a critical level, an official said Friday.

Michelle Visera, NGCP-Negros public relations officer, said that due to the current overloading of the power line, the ongoing construction of the Amlan-Dumaguete 138 kV line needs to be expedited to prevent any potential power outages.

“We are asking stakeholders and government officials in Negros Oriental to help us fast-track the acquisition of permits and the Certificate of No Objection from concerned local governments and private individuals,” Visera said in an interview.

“The Amlan-Dumaguete 138 kV line was started last year and is seen to be completed by September this year, but some local resistance to the project compelled the grid operator to file a motion to extend the completion date to January 2026,” she added.

Visera said the Amlan-Siaton 69-kV line is carrying a load of 69 megawatts (MW) as of A
pril 25 this year, which is beyond the normal capacity of 58 MW.

Last weekend, many parts of Negros Oriental experienced a 12-hour brownout after NGCP announced it would be undertaking preventive maintenance of the Amlan-Siaton 69-kV line to ensure stability.

Visera said the ongoing project for the new Amlan-Dumaguete 138-kV line must be expedited to meet the power demands while minimizing recurring and prolonged power interruptions in Negros Oriental.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Today (%) Previous Session(%) Change (BP)

1-year TB 3.447 3.450 -0.3

2-year TB 3.471 3.481 -1.0

3-year TB 3.440 3.453 -1.3

10-year TB 3.538 3.556 -1.8

2-year MSB 3.453 3.470 -1.7

3-year CB (AA-) 3.894 3.913 -1.9

91-day CD 3.580 3.580 0.0

Source: Yonhap News Agency