(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


TOP STORIES –Wednesday, April 12, 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)

12 April 2023, Wednesday, as of 9:00 a.m.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a news conference after a bilateral meeting with Philippines’ Defense officials at Camp Aguinaldo in this photo taken on July 30, 2021. (File photo by ROLEX DELA PEÑA / Reuter)

1. 2. EDCA

-US vows terms of new EDCA sites will be ‘joint decision’ with PH

-‘Marcos should remind US, China: Philippines won’t be used’

-Imee urges limits on number of US forces, length of stay under EDCA

-DFA: EDCA sites access remains nebulous

-Repeated infringement necessitates EDCA – DFA

-Opposition solon insists: PH has no say on how US will operate EDCA sites

-PH should keep telling China, US that it favors peace—Risa

-Cagayan gov to constituents: Speak out vs EDCA sites

[Inquirer, Daily Tribune, GMA News Online, ABS-CBN News Online, PhilStar, Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL Online]

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/213335/us-vows-terms-of-new-edca-sites-will-be-joint-decision-with-

2. BALIKATAN 2023

-Kicking off Philippines drills, US vows defense in South China Sea

-PH not expecting violent reactions from China due to Balikatan – DND chief

-Marcos to witness Balikatan ship sinking

-‘Balikatan’ levels up for PH maritime defense

[ABS-CBN News Online, Inquirer, Daily Tribune, GMA News Online, PhilStar, CNN PHL Online, Manila Times, Malaya]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/12/23/kicking-off-philippines-drills-us-vows-defense-in-s-china-sea

3. 2+2 Ministerial dialogue in Washington:

-US reaffirms commitment to stand with PH vs. coercion in South China Sea

-US, Philippines agree to complete security assistance roadmap in 5 to 10 years, says US Defense Secretary

-PHL to US and China: Manage your rivalry; talk, be sincere, transparent

- US and PH join forces to increase economic opportunities for Filipino women

[Manila Times, CNN PHL, BusinessMirror, Inquirer, PhilStar, GMA News Online]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/866644/us-philippines-agree-to-formulate-security-assistance-plan-says-

4. DEGAMO SLAY CASE

-Suspended Rep Teves ‘may still be in Cambodia’ – Sec Remulla

-Remulla confirms meeting with ex-Gov. Pryde Teves

[Daily Tribune, GMA News Online, Inquirer, CNN Online, Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News Online, PhilStar]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/11/suspended-rep-teves-may-still-be-in-cambodia-sec-remulla

5. Marcos urged to enhance El Niño mitigation plan

[Philstar, Malaya, Business Mirror]

https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/marcos-urged-to-enhance-el-nino-mitigation-plan/

6. LGUs suspend classes due to TD Amang

[CNN PHL Online, ABS-CBN News Online, GMA News Online, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Rappler, Daily Tribune]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/4/12/Class-suspensions-Wednesday-Amang.html

7. TROPICAL DEPRESSION AMANG

-Tropical Depression Amang heads to Camarines, Quezon provinces; Signal No. 1 remains over 11 areas

-'Amang' makes landfall in Catanduanes

-PPA cancels trips in 8 Bicol ports due to 'Amang'

-PAGASA: TD Amang to weaken into LPA by Wednesday night or Thursday morning

-910 persons evacuate in Albay town as TD Amang brings heavy rains

-Passengers stranded at Lucena Port due to Amang

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, CNN PHL Online, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Inquirer, Rappler, Daily Tribune]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/12/23/amang-heads-to-camarines-quezon-provinces

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit