Philippines Roundup: Digital cooperation, Miss Aura International 2024, kidnapped American
Cyber and digital resilience cooperation with US, Japan
The Philippines, the United States, and Japan have entered into a collaborative agreement aimed at bolstering cyber and digital resilience. This initiative was formalised during the US-Japan-Philippines Trilateral cyber and digital dialogue at the 9th Singapore International Cyber Week. Co-chaired by officials from the three nations, the dialogue covered various pivotal areas including civilian cybersecurity, workforce development, maritime cybersecurity, and information sharing. The overarching objective is to enhance international cyberspace stability, improve data security, and advance capacity-building efforts. Critical to these discussions was the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules Forum, which aims to facilitate data flow while ensuring privacy protection. This ongoing initiative comes on the heels of a previous bilateral dialogue aimed at fortifying the cybersecurity landscape and digital economy resilience between the Philippines and the US, the Philippine Inquirer reports.
Deportation of two foreign sex offenders
Two foreign sex offenders, namely American Joseph John Graham, 76, and British national Ryan Ashley, 50, are slated for deportation from the Philippines on the grounds of being “undesirable aliens.” Graham's apprehension occurred at Clark International Airport, northwest of Manila, where he faces 55 counts related to child pornography in Florida, alongside the discovery of child abuse material on his phone. Ashley, a registered sex offender from the UK, was detained while attempting to extend his tourist visa following previous convictions for sexual offences against minors. Their arrests were enacted under the Bureau of Immigration's #Shieldkids campaign, which primarily targets child sex offenders, culminating in their blacklisting from re-entering the Philippines, as reported by The Star.
Filipino finishes 1st runner-up at Miss Aura International 2024
Philippines' Isabelle De Los Santos has garnered recognition as the 1st runner-up at Miss Aura International 2024, an event hosted in Antalya, Turkey. The title was claimed by Colombia's Yuri Rei. During her Top 5 response, Isabelle conveyed a compelling viewpoint favouring wealth over fame, asserting that financial resources could be leveraged to uplift those in need. She showcased a gown embellished with the word "Aura" on the back. Isabelle also received the Miss Aura International fan vote.
VP Duterte threatens to exhume remains of Marcos Sr.
Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte has escalated her political feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by threatening to unearth the remains of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and dispose of them into the sea. This provocative statement follows Duterte's resignation from Marcos Jr.'s cabinet in June, which has exacerbated tensions just as both parties are preparing for the 2024 midterm elections—each eyeing the 2028 presidential race. During a press conference, Duterte condemned the Marcos Jr. administration for its alleged poor governance and articulated feelings of being "used" since their political alliance in the 2022 elections. She has warned of serious repercussions if political hostilities against her persist.
American kidnapped in southern Philippines
An American man named Elliot Onil Eastman has been kidnapped by armed assailants in Mindanao, southern Philippines. The abductors, disguised as police officers, reportedly shot Eastman in the leg during his attempted escape and subsequently transported him by boat to an undisclosed location. The US Embassy is actively liaising with local authorities to manage the situation. Eastman has resided in the region for approximately five months following his marriage to a local resident. As of now, no ransom demands have been made, and the identity of the assailants remains unknown. The Philippine military has expressed readiness to assist in the effort to locate and apprehend the kidnappers, as reported by the Manila Times.
