A body seize from video footage launched by the Philippine Coast Guard reveals its ship, the BRP Bagacay, being hit by water cannon from Chinese language coast guard vessels close to the Chinese language-controlled Scarborough Shoal within the West Philippine Sea. Additionally hit on its method to the shoal was the BRP Bankaw of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Sources. —AFP
MANILA, Philippines — From defending its territorial waters within the West Philippine Sea to tackling points on land and abroad, the Philippines confronted a tumultuous 2024.
Maritime tensions with China persevered, placing the nation’s sovereignty to the take a look at anew, whereas crackdowns on unlawful Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) highlighted home struggles in opposition to legal actions.
Article continues after this commercial
On the worldwide stage, controversies corresponding to former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves searching for asylum in East Timor and the long-awaited hope for Mary Jane Veloso’s repatriation underscored the complexities of justice and diplomacy for the Filipino folks.
Collectively, these points painted an image of resilience and the enduring combat for accountability, sovereignty, and human rights.
Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at a few of the most important tales that outlined the Philippines’ struggles and triumphs in 2024:
Article continues after this commercial
1. Marcos: ‘All Pogos are banned!’
Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) are formally banned within the Philippines, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. introduced on Monday.
Article continues after this commercial
“Efficient immediately, all POGOs are banned,” Marcos mentioned throughout his third State of the Nation Tackle. Learn extra right here.
Article continues after this commercial
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
2. China vessels, warships withdraw from Scarborough after convoy
The variety of suspected Chinese language maritime militia and coast guard vessels in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal sharply decreased whereas all of Beijing’s warships additionally left after the journey of a civilian convoy there, in line with the Philippine Navy knowledge launched on Tuesday. Learn extra right here
3. Three PH cities amongst least polluted regional cities in Southeast Asia
Three cities within the Philippines had been among the many least air polluted cities in Southeast Asia, a 2023 worldwide report on air high quality confirmed.
Article continues after this commercial
The Swiss air-monitoring firm IQAir’s 2023 World Air High quality Report supplies a world evaluation of air high quality, citing PM2.5 air high quality knowledge from 7,812 cities spanning 134 international locations, areas, and territories for 2023. Learn extra right here.
4. Home listening to reveals Chinese language nationals recruited to PCG auxiliary
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) beforehand recruited Chinese language nationals as auxiliary members of the company however they’ve since been delisted.
This was revealed by PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan earlier than the Home Committee on Transportation’s listening to on Wednesday after Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers requested him in regards to the recruitment problem, which was raised by Senator Francis Tolentino final yr. Learn extra right here.
Sen. Win Gatchalian (L) and Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. | PHOTOS: Senate Public Relations and Info Bureau and INQUIRER.web
5. Gatchalian: Alice Guo not homeschooled; we attended similar college
No, suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo was not homeschooled. She additionally didn’t develop up on a farm.
This was in line with Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian who introduced Guo’s college paperwork earlier than the Senate panel on ladies, revealing that he and the embattled native official, the truth is, studied in the identical college. Learn extra right here.
6. Mary Jane Veloso returns house after 14 years
Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina on dying row in Indonesia who spent virtually 15 years in jail for drug trafficking, has returned house early Wednesday morning, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) introduced.
BuCor Director Basic Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. mentioned the plane carrying Veloso landed at Ninoy Aquino Worldwide Airport (Naia) in Pasay Metropolis at round 5:40 a.m. Learn extra right here.
Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina who was on dying row in Indonesia and was almost executed by firing squad in 2015, makes a coronary heart signal throughout a press convention previous to her repatriation to the Philippines, at Soekarno-Hatta Worldwide Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Picture/Tatan Syuflana)
7. 14 years on dying row: Timeline of Mary Jane Veloso’s combat for justice
The case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina on dying row in Indonesia for drug trafficking, has spanned over a decade and stays probably the most high-profile authorized battles involving an abroad Filipino employee.
Veloso was arrested on April 25, 2010, at Adisucipto Worldwide Airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, after she was present in possession of greater than 2.6 kilograms of heroin. Learn extra right here.
8. Carpio: Duterte gave up PH proper over Ayungin in an settlement w/ China
Former President Rodrigo Duterte surrendered the Philippines’ sovereign rights over Ayungin Shoal in what was disguised as a “gents’s settlement” with China.
This assertion comes from Former Supreme Courtroom Justice Antonio Carpio. Learn extra right here.
Former Rep. Arnoldo Teves with lawyer Ferdinand Topacio. His lawyer mentioned the Teves camp is elevating the harassment problem to the United Nations. (FILE) Picture from Atty. Ferdinand Topacio
9. Timor-Leste grants extradition request vs Teves for 2nd time
The Timor-Leste authorities has granted for the second time the Philippine authorities’s request to extradite Negros expelled Negros Oriental third District Consultant Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the Division of Justice (DOJ) mentioned Thursday.
In accordance with the DOJ in an announcement, the request was granted after a second spherical of extradition hearings, which resulted from the procedural objections made by Teves’ camp. Learn extra right here.
10. China Coast Guard seizes PH provides for Ayungin
The China Coast Guard (CCG) has been accused of seizing and dumping overboard meals and different provides meant for Filipino troops stationed at a distant outpost in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, and allegedly obstructing a medical evacuation of ailing troopers.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please attempt once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
Each incidents befell on Might 19, when the Philippine Navy carried out an airdrop operation to carry the gadgets to the BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated warship grounded in 1999 to guard Manila’s claims to the shoal, in line with a rating army official, who requested to not be named for not having authority to talk to the media. Learn extra right here.
