Philippines

Philippines road towards independence has been long and fraught.
Since 1591, what is now the Republic of The Philippines was a Spanish colony. Spain’s long decline as a maritime empire was deeply shaken during the Spanish-American War of 1898. The war was short and decisive in America’s favour and was America’s first taste at global rather than continental colonialism. In addition to receiving Cuba from Spain, America also took possession of the Philippines.

By Adam Garrie | The Duran | August 8, 2017 Defence officials in Philippines deny reports from the United States that American military contingents are examining the possibility of a military intervention in the country due to the war with ISIS aligned terrorists and other insurgents on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao and specifically […]

An MQ 9 Reaper drone. (Photo: USAF)
Pentagon officials say a discussion is ongoing about the possibility of granting US forces in the Philippine authority to conduct airstrikes against the nation’s ISIS affiliate, and that the announcement and naming of the new operation could happen within the next 24 hours.

(ANTIWAR.COM) — Pentagon officials say a discussion is ongoing about the possibility of granting US forces in the Philippine authority to conduct airstrikes against the nation’s ISIS affiliate, and that the announcement and naming of the new operation could happen within the next 24 hours.

Defence officials in Philippines deny reports from the United States that American military contingents are examining the possibility of a military intervention in the country due to the war with ISIS aligned terrorists and other insurgents on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao and specifically the besieged city of Marawi.
US based NBC news earlier reported that Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis stated that the US will shortly make an announcement on whether US bombers will commence military strikes in Philippines.

Washington may launch a military operation that would allow the US military to conduct airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS, banned in Russia) positions in the Philippines, media reported, citing two defense officials.
According to the NBC broadcaster’s Monday report, the plan to start the operation, which is currently being considered by the US Department of Defense, may be announced later in the day.
The broadcaster also noted that the airstrikes are likely to be carried out by drones.

It is estimated that over 10 million Filipinos live outside of Philippines and many of them remain actively engaged with politics in their mother country while maintaining family and cultural connections.
The 2016 election of President Rodrigo Duterte has galvanised the Filipino diaspora as Duterte’s policies seek to break with the status quo of virtually all of his varied predecessors.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has slammed North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un in a speech before Filipino tax officials in Manila.
Duterte said of North Korea’s leader and his weapons programme,

This weekend, Philippines will host this years summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This year’s location of the summit, Manila, is emblematic of the changing alliances currently fomenting in Asia.

Nuke drills, Wasserman bills and border bullies + this day in history w/Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance and our song of the day by The Church on your Morning Monarchy for July 31, 2017.