US Senate Reaffirms Defense of PH and Japan in West PH Sea

The US Senate passed July 10 a bipartisan resolution reaffirming US defense treaty obligations with the Philippines and Japan, which are in a separate dispute with China over unoccupied islands in Asian seas, reports Inquirer.net. Meanwhile, the US State Department proposed that Asian nations not build new outposts or expand existing ones in the South China Sea to help lower the risk of a conflict as tensions mount in its resource-rich waters.

Filipino Pilgrims Head for Mecca Despite MERS Threat

Despite the Department of Health's advice to defer Hajj due to the risk of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, a group of Filipino pilgrims is pushing through with its pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, reports GMA News.

No Muslim Filipinos in Islamic Extremist ISIS, Says Official

An official from the Department of National Defense assured that there are no Islamic Filipinos who joined Jihadist group Islamic State of Iraq and Al Sham, reports Inquirer.net. Speaking on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to media, the official said there are no validated reports that 200 Muslim Filipinos went to Iraq to join ISIS. He added that the figure of 200 Muslims are not Filipinos, but Australians.

Alert Level Raised for Filipinos in Afghanistan

Filipinos in Afghanistan were “strongly urged” to leave the country as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised crisis alert level 3 which entails voluntary repatriation, reports Inquirer.net.

Priest Who Scolded Young Unwed Mom Apologizes

The priest who scolded an unwed mother during the baptism of her child issued publicly apology after the video of the incident at the Sacred Heart Chapel in Jagobiao, Mandaue City, went viral, reports Interaksyon.com. "I am now making a public heartfelt apology to the mother of the child and her immediate family," wrote Fr. Romeo Obach, who scolded the 17-year-old mother for having a child born out of wedlock.

Filipino Arrested for Child Sex Abuse in California

Jason Quero, a former campus supervisor and karate teacher at a charter school in Livermore, California, was recently arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a 14-year-old student, reports ABS-CBN News. The 30-year-old Quero, a Mountain House resident, is out on bail and was tentatively scheduled to be arraigned in Alameda County Superior Court on July 9.

Rich Kids' FB Gets Flak for 'Racist' Photo of Filipina

A Facebook community account of Snapchat, where wealthy students of private European schools reportedly display their luxurious lifestyle through pictures got flak recently for posting a "racist" photograph of a Filipina, reports GMA News. The controversial photo, posted on "What Happens at Private School Goes On Snapchat," shows an Asian-looking woman slumped in a private jet's seat. The caption reads, "When your Filipina flies private (??)ZZzzz RN."

Hot Dog Eating Champ Proposes to Fil-Am Girlfriend

High-ranking chowhound Joey “Jaws” Chestnut dropped to one knee and proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Fil-Am Neslie Ricasa, before the annual hot dog eating contest on July 4, then packed away 61 franks and buns to hold onto his coveted mustard yellow winner’s belt, reports Inquirer.net.