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Philippines and New Zealand in talks for defense pact
Philippines and New Zealand in talks for defense pact
Agence France-Presse
Published Jan 29, 2025 12:49 PM PHT
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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visits the 80 uniformed personnel who conducted the Philippine rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal. Kj Rosales, PPA pool/File
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The Philippines and New Zealand have begun negotiating an agreement that would allow them to deploy troops on each other's soil, the two countries said Wednesday, as concerns over maritime tensions with China grow.
The Philippines and New Zealand have begun negotiating an agreement that would allow them to deploy troops on each other's soil, the two countries said Wednesday, as concerns over maritime tensions with China grow.
Manila has been seeking to boost defense ties in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond in the face of China's growing confidence in asserting its claims over the hotspot South China Sea.
Manila has been seeking to boost defense ties in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond in the face of China's growing confidence in asserting its claims over the hotspot South China Sea.
A first round of talks was held in Manila on Thursday between the Philippines and New Zealand's defense departments, they said in a joint statement.
A first round of talks was held in Manila on Thursday between the Philippines and New Zealand's defense departments, they said in a joint statement.
"The first round of negotiations marked an important step in strengthening bilateral defense ties between the Philippines and New Zealand," the statement said.
"The first round of negotiations marked an important step in strengthening bilateral defense ties between the Philippines and New Zealand," the statement said.
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The Status of Visiting Forces Agreement will provide the legal framework for both countries "to elevate their cooperative activities and conduct exercises in each other’s territories, deepening overall defense and military cooperation", it added.
The Status of Visiting Forces Agreement will provide the legal framework for both countries "to elevate their cooperative activities and conduct exercises in each other’s territories, deepening overall defense and military cooperation", it added.
New Zealand's ambassador to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh attended the Manila meeting, while other members of Wellington's delegation participated virtually.
New Zealand's ambassador to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh attended the Manila meeting, while other members of Wellington's delegation participated virtually.
From the Philippines' side, negotiators included officials from the department of defense, justice and foreign affairs, as well as the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces.
From the Philippines' side, negotiators included officials from the department of defense, justice and foreign affairs, as well as the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces.
Last month, the Philippine Senate ratified the same defense agreement with Japan. The Southeast Asian country has also signed similar defense pacts with the United States, Australia and has begun talks with France.
Last month, the Philippine Senate ratified the same defense agreement with Japan. The Southeast Asian country has also signed similar defense pacts with the United States, Australia and has begun talks with France.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing aside competing claims from several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, and an international ruling that its stance has no legal basis.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing aside competing claims from several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, and an international ruling that its stance has no legal basis.
There have been frequent clashes or tense standoffs between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the strategic waterway.
There have been frequent clashes or tense standoffs between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the strategic waterway.
© Agence France-Presse
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Escudero: Bill upholding Muslim burial rites up for President's signature
Escudero: Bill upholding Muslim burial rites up for President's signature
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 15, 2025 10:55 PM PHT
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Filipino Muslims flock to Quezon Memorial Circle for prayer in celebration of Eid'l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice on June 16, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file
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Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said a proposal recognizing the rights of Muslims to bury their departed ones in accordance with their beliefs is headed to Malacanang Palace for signature.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said a proposal recognizing the rights of Muslims to bury their departed ones in accordance with their beliefs is headed to Malacanang Palace for signature.
This is after the House of Representatives agreed to adopt the amendments put forward by senators.
This is after the House of Representatives agreed to adopt the amendments put forward by senators.
“Our Muslim brothers and sisters have long been waiting for this law that will guarantee their loved ones are buried shortly after their death,” Escudero said in a statement.
“Our Muslim brothers and sisters have long been waiting for this law that will guarantee their loved ones are buried shortly after their death,” Escudero said in a statement.
“There should be no more questions about the protocols to be followed when it comes to the burial of Muslims anywhere in the country.”
“There should be no more questions about the protocols to be followed when it comes to the burial of Muslims anywhere in the country.”
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House Bill No. 8925, or the proposed Philippine Islamic Burial Act, allows the immediate burial of Muslims who passed on sans death certificates, provided that the person who performs the Islamic burial rites or the next of kin of the deceased reports the death to the local health officer within 14 days after the burial.
House Bill No. 8925, or the proposed Philippine Islamic Burial Act, allows the immediate burial of Muslims who passed on sans death certificates, provided that the person who performs the Islamic burial rites or the next of kin of the deceased reports the death to the local health officer within 14 days after the burial.
It also provides that the remains of the deceased must be released within 24 hours—in accordance with the Islamic rites—from the hospital whether bills and other costs related to the handling of the body have been settled or not.
It also provides that the remains of the deceased must be released within 24 hours—in accordance with the Islamic rites—from the hospital whether bills and other costs related to the handling of the body have been settled or not.
A similar legislation has been approved by the Senate on third and final reading that ensures equal access to public cemeteries regardless of denominations.
A similar legislation has been approved by the Senate on third and final reading that ensures equal access to public cemeteries regardless of denominations.
Senate Bill No. 1273, or the Equal Access to Public Cemeteries, designates burial grounds in public cemeteries across the country for Muslims, indigenous peoples (IPs) and other denominations to allow them to observe their customs and traditions in burying their dearly departed ones.
Senate Bill No. 1273, or the Equal Access to Public Cemeteries, designates burial grounds in public cemeteries across the country for Muslims, indigenous peoples (IPs) and other denominations to allow them to observe their customs and traditions in burying their dearly departed ones.
In cases where the public cemeteries do not meet the requirements under the bill, the host local government units will be tasked to acquire land, including those outside its jurisdiction, in order to construct public cemeteries that are compliant to the provisions on apportionment and partition.
In cases where the public cemeteries do not meet the requirements under the bill, the host local government units will be tasked to acquire land, including those outside its jurisdiction, in order to construct public cemeteries that are compliant to the provisions on apportionment and partition.
“Binibigyan natin ng halaga ang mga paniniwala at tradisyon ng ating mga kapatid na Muslim, mga IPs at iba pang relihiyon sa paglilibing ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. In policy planning and in the delivery of services to our people, we must ensure that no group or sector is neglected,” Escudero said.
“Binibigyan natin ng halaga ang mga paniniwala at tradisyon ng ating mga kapatid na Muslim, mga IPs at iba pang relihiyon sa paglilibing ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. In policy planning and in the delivery of services to our people, we must ensure that no group or sector is neglected,” Escudero said.
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