International News

Ambassador Cuisia to Attend

Transfer Ceremony of Hamilton-class Cutter

10 May 2011, Washington DC. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. will attend the transfer ceremony of a Hamilton-class cutter on 13 May 2011 in Alameda, California. The ship was acquired by the Philippine government through the Foreign Military Sales program of the U.S. government.
Used by the U.S. Coast Guard, the cutter will be the largest patrol ship in the Philippine Navy. It is considered a multi-mission vessel and will be capable of operations such as search and rescue, maritime security patrols and maritime law enforcement. Its acquisition will boost the Philippine Navy’s ability to patrol the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
While in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ambassador Cuisia is also expected to meet with city government officials, private sector executives, and the Filipino community./TE

POLITICAL UNREST ESCALATES

Tensions continue to increase in Syria where troops and tanks have been employed to quell the current unrest, resulting in a big increased in civilian causalities. In Yemen and Bahrain too the conflict has become more brutal as authorities seek to curb.

Discontent continues to grow in Africa too, the main complaints being Corruption, oppressive regimes, and the increasing cost of food and fuel. In China the authorities are seeking to calm down on internet sites on which people are increasingly giving voice to their discontent and to their concern./TE