Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Sunday, June 1, 2025.
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READ: Chinese threat real, imminent, US warns
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned Saturday that China was "credibly preparing" to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia, and vowed that the United States was "here to stay" in the Indo-Pacific region. The Pentagon chief made the remarks at an annual security forum in Singapore as the administration of US President Donald Trump spars with Beijing on trade, technology and influence over strategic corners of the globe. On the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth met with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to bolstering defense cooperation with the Philippines. He described the two nations' partnership as key to helping keep peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Since taking office in January, Trump has launched a trade war with China, sought to curb its access to key AI technologies and deepened security ties with allies such as the Philippines, which is engaged in escalating territorial disputes with Beijing.
READ: Live-fire, landing drills raise regional tension
CHINA has intensified its military presence across the Indo-Pacific, conducting live-fire drills, amphibious exercises, and expansive maritime patrols that analysts say are testing the resolve of regional powers and the United States. Last week, the Chinese military staged a sizable amphibious exercise across the Taiwan Strait, heightening anxieties in Taipei just as Beijing's oldest aircraft carrier, CNS Liaoning, led a formidable task group into the Western Pacific. China's military announced over the weekend that its navy and air force were carrying out routine "combat readiness patrols" around the Scarborough Shoal, a chain of reefs and rocks Beijing disputes with the Philippines. According to open-source intelligence and satellite imagery posted online, the Liaoning — accompanied by an 8–9 ship flotilla — was spotted about 430 nautical miles southeast of Taiwan on May 28.
READ: Migration must be 'front and center' in devt planning
THE power of migration and the contributions of migrant workers should be front and center in efforts to achieve the country's sustainable development goals, the chief of mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Philippines, Tristan Ashley Burnett, said over the weekend. The IOM is the United Nations agency on migration. In the pilot episode of the IBC-13 program Chairman's Report with Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Dante Ang II that aired Friday night, Burnett cited developments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as the IOM was involved in the peace efforts there.
READ: 'Bagyo' trips up Scripps Spelling Bee
During the finals of the 97th Scripps National Spelling Bee held on Thursday (Friday in Manila) in the United States, eighth grader Harini Murali was asked to spell out the Filipino word for tropical cyclone or typhoon. The eighth grader spelled B-A-G-U-I-O, which is the name of the city in Benguet province, and the judges accepted the answer as correct. Those familiar with the Filipino language, however, were quick to point out the mistake.
READ: NCR dominates Palaro again
The National Capital Region (NCR) dominated the 65th Palarong Pambansa hosted by Ilocos Norte, extending its overall reign for the 18th straight edition. After the May 26 to 30 games hosted by Ilocos Norte, where the top student-athletes in elementary and secondary levels across the nation competed, NCR harvested a whopping 117 gold medals as of Saturday at 9 a.m. when 99.10 percent of the medals were officially awarded. The elementary level gave the NCR gold medals, while the secondary level added 72. NCR also collected 69 silver medals and 50 bronzes, creating a huge separation from runner-up Calabarzon or Region 4A, which sported a 46-67-66 gold-silver-bronze haul. Western Visayas or Region 6 ranked third with a 44-53-56 tally; Davao Region or Region 11 was fourth with 41-28-36; and Northern Mindanao or Region 10 rounded out the top five with a 31-26-45 gold-silver-bronze haul. Fueling the NCR bets' dominance were swimmers Titus Rafael Sia and Sophia Rose Garra, who emerged as the most bemedaled athletes with seven golds each in this year's Palaro, which closed Saturday evening at the Ilocos Centennial Arena.
SPORTS: Marcos lauds Gilas Youth
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hailed the Gilas Pilipinas Youth squad for its perfect run en route to a gold medal finish in the FIBA Under-16 Asian Cup SEABA Qualifiers, a victory he tagged as proof of young Filipinos' unmatched talent and drive. He also reaffirmed his administration's full support for the team, mentored by PBA great and former national team stalwart LA Tenorio, in its future competitions. The Philippines, along with Indonesia and Malaysia, will represent Southeast Asia in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup slated in Mongolia this July.
BUSINESS: Empowered to serve
GLENDA Pichay-Rabino's journey from a medical professional to an advocate for women's health is a testament to both her resilience and her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. As an obstetrician and gynecologist (OB-GYN) in the Metro Vigan area of Ilocos Sur, Pichay-Rabino has not only dedicated her life to the medical field but also to empowering women in their health journeys. With a mantra of "I am an empowered woman who also empowers women," she has dedicated herself to a purpose beyond just medical treatment — transforming the lives of countless women by providing the guidance, education and support they need to take charge of their health.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, as he honors the legacy of the late OPM singer, Freddie Aguilar.
Today's editorial looks for fixes in the No Contact Apprehension Policy. Read more in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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