Philippines

The most active volcano in the Philippines has been erupting sporadically for more than two weeks.  Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, but a great deal of uncertainty remains. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

For weeks now, Congress has been working on changes to the U.S. tax code. But it’s not only the United States that is pushing tax reform. It was also a campaign pledge on the other side of the Pacific. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

In Manila, the Supreme Court of the Philippines is hearing oral arguments this week, on two suits that challenge President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. On Tuesday, Solicitor General Jose Calida described the petitions as attempts to destabilize the government and sow anarchy…we have more from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

The Philippine Defense Minister confirms the death of the two top leaders of the group that’s battled government troops in the city of Marawi for almost five months. One of the dead, is on the FBI’s most wanted terrorists list, with a $5 million reward for his death or capture. We have more from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

China is increasing its weapons shipments to countries in Southeast Asia. Most of the dealings involve sales, but other developments are less straightforward. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Last month, video of the apparent execution of a teenager triggered protests against President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs in the Philippines, but a vote in Congress yesterday suggests that the president’s policies continue to enjoy strong political support. We have more from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

Last week was the bloodiest thus far in President Rodrigo Duterte’s year-long war on drugs in the Philippines, with nearly a hundred people reported killed in and around Manila. Up to now, the crackdown has been widely popular, but the death of a 17 year old high school student last week set off the first serious protest. We have more from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

Anyone who’s familiar with the Philippines knows about the concept of sending money home from overseas. It’s become a critical part of the Philippines economy—and it’s growing. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Authorities in the Philippines have seized a stunning amount of methamphetamine headed into the country from China. Police say there was more than half a ton of the drug, smuggled into warehouses in metropolitan Manila—making it the latest multi-million dollar methamphetamine bust in Asia. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

President Trump spent some time over the weekend calling several leaders in the Asia Pacific—and inviting them to the White House. His invitations included the Prime Ministers of Singapore and Thailand, and in a surprise to many, the president of the Philippines. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

One of the leaders of Abu Sayyaf is reportedly among those killed in a shootout with the Philippine Army yesterday. Muamar Askali, also known as Abu Rami sometimes acted as a spokesman for the jihadist group. The firefight erupted on the island of Bohol in the central Philippines, with five rebels and four Filipino soldiers killed…we have background on Abu Sayyaf from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

President Trump continues his meetings today in Florida with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The South China Sea remains one contentious topic. But this week, the leader of another country in the region announced a surprising development. HPR’s Bill Dorman has details in today’s Asia Minute.

The honeymoon between the Philippines and China appears to have hit a stumbling block. Last week, China’s Commerce minister abruptly cancelled a trip to Manila at the last minute. Scheduling conflicts, according to Beijing, but, as we hear from Neal Conan in the Pacific News Minute, it followed rare public criticism of Chinese militarization in the South China Sea.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has now been in office for nearly 8 months. There’s been a lot of publicity about his administration’s war on drugs—and drug dealers. But this week there is a new focus on other killings: those of environmental activists. HPR’s Bill Dorman has details in today’s Asia Minute.

Amnesty International issued a blistering report earlier today on President Roderigo Duterte’s drug war in the Philippines. More than 7,500 people have been killed over the past 7 months.  Of 59 deaths investigated by Amnesty, the group reported that the vast majority were “extra-judicial killings carried out by government order.” More from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

The United States is expanding its military presence in the Philippines. That word comes from the Philippines Defense Minister and to some, it’s a bit of a surprise. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Last month, we reported on the seizure of 1300 pounds of methamphetamine in suburban Manila. Over the weekend, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he would have shot the six men arrested in the raid, and declared himself ready to declare martial law if the war on drugs gets out of control. More from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute.

Since being elected President of the Philippines earlier this year, Rodrigo Duterte has described President Obama and Pope Francis, among others, as a “son of a whore.” Now, you can put the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in their company. Neal Conan reports in today’s Pacific News Minute.

Earlier this week, Philippines Vice President Leni Robredo went on National Television to announce her resignation as a cabinet minister and declare plans to lead the opposition against President Roderigo Duterte. We have more from Neal Conan in the Pacific News Minute.

Just a few days after a controversial re-burial, activists in the Philippines are calling for the body of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos to be exhumed. Marcos died here in Hawaii in 1989 after he was ousted in the "People Power" Revolution, but, as we hear from Neal Conan in the Pacific News Minute, his family has found an ally in the new President of the Philippines.

Over the weekend, jubilant Filipino fishermen returned to Manila with huge catches from Scarborough Shoal, an historic fishing ground that was seized by China four years ago. The haul appears to represent a major diplomatic victory for controversial President Rodrigo Duterte. More from from Neal Conan in the Pacific News Minute.

The president of the Philippines is spending time in China this week. So far, the official meetings have featured a lot of rhetoric and some diplomatic maneuvering. But they’re also covering trade deals and investment. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The president of the Philippines is heading to China. Rodrigo Duterte has talked about shifting his country’s military relationship with the United States, but this trip also has a business side. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is heading for Beijing next week…and he’s bringing a sizable business delegation.  A spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry confirms Duterte will have a “deep exchange of views” with China’s president and premier over a four-day visit starting next Tuesday.

Two sets of military exercises are underway this morning (this afternoon) in Asia. Only one involves U-S forces, but they both highlight political challenges in the region. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter is in Honolulu today. Where he will host a meeting with a number of his counterparts from Southeast Asia.  The talks come following an eventful week for one of this country’s closest allies in the region. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Changes may be coming to relations between the United States and one of its closest allies in the Asia Pacific.  It’s the latest twist involving the president of the Philippines.  And this development concerns the military.  HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

What to make of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte?  It’s a question on the minds of US policymakers…given his continuing commentary on relations between the two countries. 

In the weeks since Roderigo Duterte was sworn in as President of the Philippines, police and vigilantes have killed almost 1800 people who may or may not have been connected to the drug trade.  Duterte campaigned on a pledge to get tough on crime, doubled down in his inaugural address, and vows to continue.  We have more from Neal Conan in the Pacific News Minute.

A controversy in the Philippines has moved to a new level this week.  The case involves the president, drug dealers, and hundreds of deaths in less than two months. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

When he campaigned for the Philippine presidency earlier this year, Rodrigo Duterte promised to violently crack down on drug dealers.  In his first fifty days in office, the bodies have been piling up.

The Democratic convention gets underway later today, a week after the Republican gathering. This is also the day for a political tradition in the Philippines—one that will be getting a closer look than usual. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Sustainable seafood is an important part of Hawai‘i’s local diet.  The Hawai‘i Seafood Council lists sixteen species of wild and sustainable fish that come from waters around the islands.  But the waters around the Philippines are facing new challenges when it comes to sustainable fishing. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.