News in Pictures: August 11, 2024

FIRE, WATER POWER

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Army Pacific Command hold a live-fire exercise using the high-mobility artillery rocket system (Himars), during joint drills on Friday in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija province.

The Himars training is part of the annual exercise called “Salaknib”—Ilocano verb meaning “to protect”—which began in April. According to the US Pacific Command, Salaknib is designed to enhance the “capacity and interoperability” of both armies “across the spectrum of military operations.”

Also on Friday, the coast guards of the Philippines and Vietnam held their first joint exercise 14 kilometers west of Corregidor Island. Crew members of the BRP Gabriela Silang and Vietnam’s CSB 8002 conducted search and rescue training, aerial surveillance and firefighting drills with water cannons aimed at a third ship set on fire—which brought to mind the China Coast Guard’s weaponization of equipment otherwise intended for rescue operations.

The maritime activity was capped by a “passing exercise”, with both crews acknowledging each other’s passing ships with a salute. —PHOTOS BY NIÑO JESUS ORBETA AND RICHARD A. REYES

ENOUGH OF THOSE UGLY, HAZARDOUS WIRES

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority acting Chair Romando Artes (in black shirt) joins officials of the Intramuros Administration and of utility company Meralco, as they gather in Manila’s historic district on Thursday to begin implementing a Metro Manila Council resolution on the maintenance of safety and order in the installation of power lines. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

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SUSPECTED TRAFFICKERS NABBED

National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago (seated, right) on Tuesday presents to the media two suspects, both covering their faces, who are allegedly involved in online sex trafficking of minors. Santiago said the Homeland Security Department of the United States had alerted his agency to their activities, prompting the bureau to conduct an operation to rescue the minors and apprehend the suspects. The NBI said they will be charged with qualified trafficking and violation of the Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA