DFA chides North Korea over missile launch
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday condemned the recent ballistic missile launch by North Korea, saying it causes tensions to rise in the Korean Peninsula and instability in the Indo-Pacific region. Two ballistic missiles were launched 10 minutes apart by North Korea on Monday just a day after the joint military drills among South Korea, Japan and the United States concluded.
“The Philippines condemns the DPRK’s (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) latest ballistic missile launch, which provokes tensions and undermines economic progress, peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region,” the DFA said in a statement. “The Philippines has repeatedly called on the DPRK to also comply with its international obligations and the relevant UN (United Nations) Security Council resolutions and to commit to constructive and peaceful dialogue with the Republic of Korea,” it added.
—JACOB LAZARO
NP forms alliance with President’s party
The Nacionalista Party (NP) is set to forge an alliance with President Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) in the run-up to the 2025 midterm elections, with the President’s sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, expected to be part of its senatorial lineup. This was according to Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who said the oldest political party in the country would formalize its alliance with the administration PFP by the end of the month.
“We are in the process of firming up the alliance between NP and PFP, [and] I’m pretty sure [Senator Marcos] will be part of the slate,” he said. Marcos, who is seeking reelection next year, earlier announced she was not sure if she would be part of the administration slate following a public fallout between her brother, Mr. Marcos, and close friend, Vice President Sara Duterte.
—KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING
