The former president of the Senate, now legal counsel to Marcos Jr, wants the ban on nuclear weapons removed; it was included in the constitution drafted in 1986 under Cory Aquino. Some sectors of public opinion have questioned the ban given China's unilateral moves in the region’s seas.

The incident, which occurred three weeks ago, is causing a major environmental disaster. Three Philippine have been affected. Fishing and bathing bans have been put in place. A remotely operated underwater vehicle located the wreck. It will take years to rehabilitate local ecosystems.

For Philippine authorities, the ICC lacks jurisdiction and its work would violate its sovereignty. Human Rights Watch warns that any investigation is fraught with difficulties. The current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, is against any foreign role in the matter.

Three officers involved in the killing of Negros Oriental province governor Roel Dergamo. The leaders of the armed forces under indictment promise to strengthen measures against the use of military techniques and forces for criminal purposes. But collusion with private militias in the pay of local potentates is a well-known scourge in Manila.

Beijing's defence budget reached USD 225 billion. Taiwan responds with a 13.9% year-on-year increase. Japan will double its outlay in five years. Vietnam and Indonesia are not standing idly by. India a danger for China. Australia close to buying nuclear submarines from Washington.

Today's headlines: for the UN, the Taliban's treatment of Afghan women is tantamount to 'crimes against humanity'; the Philippine Catholic Educators Association condemns the practice of 'hazing' after a suspicious death at a university. Tehran confirms its hard line on transgressions of the Islamic 'dress code'; in 2022, new births in Japan fell below 800,000 for the first time.