Monday, June 25, 2012

NCAA: Generals survive Chiefs 75-72

MANILA, Philippines – Emilio Aguinaldo College survived a furious fightback by Arellano, 75-72, Monday in the 88th Season of the NCAA at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

The Generals trailed, 66-68, after blowing a 12-point lead it built, six minutes in the fourth quarter.
“Arellano refused to give up. Luckily, my players held on defensively in crunchtime,” said EAC coach Gerry Esplana.

Russell Yaya made all of his free throw attempts down the stretch before Happi Noube sank two more to seal the win.

Yaya had 17 points while Noube tallied 14 points and 16 rebounds.

Rocky Acidre fired two consecutive triples to tie the game at 66. Vergel Zulueta drained two free throws to give the Chiefs a 68-66 cushion with 2:53 left.

Arellano, fresh off a tough loss to an undermanned San Beda squad Sunday, had several chances to complete its comeback but blew it with costly errors.

Acidre had 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Read more NCAA updates here.

CSB downs Lyceum 70-61

MANILA, Philippines – College of St. Benilde went on a 14-0 blitz to push past Lyceum, 70-61, Monday in the men’s basketball tournament of the NCAA Season 88 at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

Carlo Lastimosa scored majority of his game-high 14 points during that pivotal stretch where the Blazers turned a six-point deficit to a 65-57 gap with 4:26 left.

“They were too anxious, too eager. We really failed defensively. Our defense was bad for the first three quarters,” said CSB head coach Richard del Rosario.

The Pirates seemed on track to pull away when they led 57-51 on a Shane Ko basket.

“(But) when we were able to lockdown defensively and limit them to just eight points in the fourth quarter, that spelled the difference in this game,” Del Rosario added.

Lastimosa added six rebounds and six assists.

Lyceum leaned on Chris Cayabyab but the sharpshooter struggled with just 13 points on four-of-17 shooting from the field. Read more NCAA news here.

Peping bats for dragon boat team in Olympics

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee chief Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. is keen on seeing the Philippine dragon boat team in action in the next Olympics.

One of the few sports where Filipinos have a big chance of winning medals, Cojuangco is all for the inclusion of the sport in the 2016 Rio De Janeiro summer games.

“We’re hoping that dragon boat will be included in the Olympics,” said Cojuangco after seeing Filipino paddlers snatch two silver medals in the recent 3rd Asian Beach Games in Haiyang, China.

Cojuangco said there is a strong chance dragon boat will be included in the list of events in Rio de Janeiro since the discipline is now under canoe-kayak, an Olympic sport.

“We’re highly competitive in this sport,” said Cojuangco. “In fact, we lost the two gold medals by only a fraction of a second.”

The Indonesians seized the 200-meter, 10-man crew race in 43.458 seconds against the Filipinos’ 43.992 and bronze medalist China’s 45.076. The Indonesians also nipped the Filipinos in the 500m event.

He also praised coach Len Escollante and the members of the team for rising above adversity despite the inadequate financial support the paddlers have been getting.

“I like the attitude of our rowers, the fighting spirit and their determination despite the handicaps,” said Cojuangco.

A rival dragon boat squad composed of former national team members shone on the world stage after nailing five golds in the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in Tampa Bay, Florida, last year.
Philippine Olympic Team

Monday, June 18, 2012

Philippine ship pull-out calms tensions—China

MANILA, Philippines— Welcoming President Aquino’s order pulling out two ships from a disputed shoal, China on Monday expressed hope it would calm tensions.

“The Chinese side has been urging the Philippine side to take measures to de-escalate the situation,” Chinese embassy spokesman Zhang Hua said in a statement.

“We have noticed the withdrawal of government vessels by the Philippine side, and hope this action will help ease the tension.”

Philippine Foreign Department spokesman Raul Hernandez said Aquino ordered the vessels to leave the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine (South China) Sea on Friday night as passing tropical storm “Butchoy” (international name: Gutchol) dumped heavy rains across large parts of the Philippines.

Hernandez stressed this did not mean the country was giving up on the shoal but he would not say if any Philippine ships would be returning after the weather improved.

He said both China and the Philippines had agreed to pull its ships out of a lagoon of the shoal, but there was no accord to withdraw from the area permanently.

He added that as of the last count on Thursday, there were still seven Chinese ships at the shoal.
A statement on the Chinese embassy’s website Monday, meanwhile, said Beijing had deployed a vessel to help its fishermen pull out of the shoal as well due to bad weather and a strong tide.

The Philippine vessels had been posted in Scarborough Shoal, which the Chinese call Huangyan Island, over the past two months amid a tense territorial standoff.

A larger number of Chinese maritime patrol vessels as well as fishing boats were also in the area, according to the Philippines, though both sides imposed unilateral fishing bans in the area during the dispute.

The dispute began after Chinese government vessels blocked Philippine ships from arresting Chinese fishermen near the shoal on April 10.

Since then, both countries have maintained ships there to press their respective claims to the area.
China claims nearly all of the West Philippine Sea, even waters close to the coasts of neighboring countries. The Philippines says the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
The Philippines and Vietnam have in recent years accused China of becoming increasingly aggressive in staking its claim.

The shoal sits about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the Philippines’ main island of Luzon. The nearest major Chinese landmass is 1,200 kilometers northwest of the shoal, according to Philippine navy maps.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Philippines seeks Myanmar’s help in Scarborough row

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario (left) and Myanmar Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin (right) sign the agreed minutes of the 2nd Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation at the DFA Friday. Photo by DFA-PISU

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines seeks Myanmar’s support in its West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute with China as the foreign ministers of the two Southeast Asian countries met on Friday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario on Friday said he hoped that Myanmar would back the “code of conduct” that some Southeast Asian nations had been promoting to prevent conflict in the sea where several of them have conflicting territorial claims.

“We think that a code of conduct should be substantive, and it should be crafted in a way that disputes are moved forward for settlement,” Del Rosario said.

Myanmar Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin and his delegation arrived in Manila Thursday for the second meeting of the Manila-Yangon Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation.

Del Rosario said he brought up the two-month long standoff in the Scarborough Shoal in his talks with Lwin.

“We discussed the West Philippine Sea issue, the peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with international law,” Del Rosario said.

China and Myanmar are close political and economic allies.

Lwin agreed to review the fundamental elements of the code as it pushed for setting disputes peacefully, said Del Rosario.

“Foreign minister Lwin said they are looking at it (the proposed code) and we hope that they will consider it,” he added.

The discussion came as Philippine and Chinese ships maintained their standoff over the Scarborough Shoal, an outcropping in the West Philippine Sea which they both claim.

The dispute began after Chinese government vessels blocked Philippine ships from arresting Chinese fishermen at the shoal in April.

China claims nearly all of the West Philippine Sea, even waters close to the coasts of neighboring countries while the Philippines says the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. With Agence France-Presse

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Jennifer Holliday has advice for Jessica Sanchez

MANILA, Philippines – Tony- and Grammy-award winning singer Jennifer Holliday said she hopes Jessica Sanchez will have a “balanced life” following her successful stint on “American Idol.”
Tony- and Grammy-award winning singer Jennifer Holliday hugs "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sanchez after their "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" duet during the show's season finale.
ABS-CBN News was able to interview Holliday during the Independence Day celebration in Georgia, where she was the special guest.

Holliday said Sanchez “has an exceptional instrument and I think she knows instinctively exactly what to do.”

She, however, has a piece of advice for the 16-year-old singer, who’s truly enjoying her newfound fame after her runner-up finish on “Idol.”

"The main thing I told Jessica I didn't want her to be like me in my young life. It happened so fast. I just was not ready. It was an overwhelming responsibility to be a young person in an adult world, carrying adults," she said.

Holliday said she “felt connected with Jessica early on, especially when she was in the bottom 3 and got eliminated."

Holliday also took the opportunity to thank her Filipino fans.

Many Filipinos became fans when Holliday started supporting Jessica Sanchez on “American Idol.”
Their duet of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” during the latest “Idol” finale is one of the highlights of the season.

“Hello to my dear Filipino family, fans and friends. This is Jennifer Holliday. I am so happy to greet you finally and thank you for your love and support during the time when Jessica and I were together on ‘American Idol.’ We felt your love, we felt your support, and most importantly your prayers," she said.

‘Philippine Day’ in Georgia
Meanwhile, the governor of the state of Gerogia declared June 12 as "Philippine Day” for enriching America's culture and economy.

"It's a very active community, it's a very business-oriented community, it's a very professional community. i'm very, very impressed. sets a great example," said Sheriff Richard Lankford.

"It is an awesome feeling that the governor gave a proclamation. That is really nice," said Filipino community leader Venus Soriano.

The award was presented during the Philippine Independence Day celebration.

Various Filipino organizations in Georgia attended the event. Most of the Filipino-Americans are professional doctors, nurses and business owners.

Many of them give back to the community and to kababayans in need back home.

They recently held medical missions in Siquijor and Puerto Princesa. Each member spent about $3,000 to undertake the project.

"May mga kababayan tayo sa Pilipinas na kung hindi namin pupuntahan, hindi mabibigyan ng kailangan nila, whether operasyon, gamot o diagnosis kasi walang-wala eh," said Dr. Lemuel Villanueva.

Other Fil-Am organizations in Georgia support Bantay Bata and Sagip-Kapamilya relief efforts.

Athough they're far away from the country, the Filipinos in Georgia said the Philippines is always in their hearts. – Report by Yong Chavez, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/06/13/12/jennifer-holliday-has-advice-jessica-sanchez

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Did You Know? No solo Manila concert for Jessica Sanchez

Now IT can be told: “American Idol” season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez will not have a solo concert in Manila anytime soon, because a “bidding war” simulated by a US-based Filipino —who has become notorious for her anomalous deals as an agent for visiting foreign concert acts—had scuttled the negotiations.

Instead, Sanchez’s fans here will have to settle for watching her perform a few numbers as part of the “Idol” tour, which includes a stop at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 21.

This development also practically preempts efforts to have Sanchez as front act for Jennifer Lopez’s concert which is set on Nov. 24 at Mall of Asia Arena. Reports quoting Lopez’s promoter for her Manila show say nothing has been confirmed, as far as Sanchez’s participation is concerned.

Early bid
Sources told the Inquirer that local promoters had been bidding for Sanchez to perform solo in Manila as early as the Top 6 final episode of “Idol” (when she sang “Dance with My Father”).

Problem was, the US-based Pinoy agent joined the bidding, only to back off when the quoted figures were said to have reached $800,000 (P34.4 million), because apparently the agent had no promoter willing to back her bid.

Businessman Ben Chan, according to the sources, was very interested to sponsor the Sanchez concert, but dreaded the hassle of talking to the agent. Pocholo Concepcion

Read more American Idol news and about Jessica Sanchez news here.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

De Lima nominated to replace Corona

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who defied a Supreme Court temporary restraining order (TRO) against her directive barring former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from seeking medical treatment abroad, was officially nominated Monday to replace ousted Chief Justice Corona.

In separate nomination papers submitted to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) chapter in Zambales province said De Lima exemplified the traits needed to head the Supreme Court.
De Lima said she was “humbled and honored” by the nomination.

“But, as I always say, I will defer to [President Benigno Aquino’s] wisdom. My father’s advice is [to] keep my options open and follow what the President wants,” De Lima said in a text message.

“I have yet to speak with the President,” she added.

In recommending De Lima, the IBP said the justice secretary “has the competence, professional qualifications and ethical standards to serve as Chief Justice.”

“Her elevation to the Supreme Court would likely contribute significantly to reshaping Philippine jurisprudence in a direction that would protect and strengthen the fundamental rights of the people,” the group said.

Utmost competence
Dante Jimenez, VACC founding chairman, said De Lima “possesses the utmost competence, diligence, probity and independence to be able to dispense justice to everyone and to lead the judiciary to the new path.”

Jimenez said while De Lima was appointed by Arroyo as chair of the Commission on Human Rights, she did her job “in accordance with law and the truth, and by what is just and right.”

Last November, De Lima ignored the Supreme Court TRO on her travel ban against Arroyo even though the former President had not been charged with any crime.

The court, by an 8-5 vote, later upheld the TRO and asked De Lima why she should not be cited for contempt.

Asked what she was invoking in disregarding the court directive during a court hearing, De Lima said that the police power of the state granted her blanket authority to detain Arroyo because she feared Arroyo would flee to evade prosecution for corruption.

The Commission on Elections later rushed a case of election sabotage against Arroyo that led to her hospital arrest.

Aquino has vowed to prosecute Arroyo to fulfill an election campaign promise to eliminate corruption.

Most qualified
Describing De Lima as “a performer and proactive,” VACC said she proved that “justice, especially for victims of heinous crimes, is now within reach and no longer a dream.”

“Along this line, we victims and survivors of heinous crimes and corruption, believe that our nominee will likewise do the same as an independent-minded implementor of justice,” VACC said.

“Secretary De Lima is the most qualified and the right person to lead the Supreme Court and carry out the needed reforms in the judiciary at this point of history of our nation,” it added.

Disbarment complaint
De Lima’s nomination poured in Monday despite having a pending disbarment complaint.

Last April, the Supreme Court referred to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines the disbarment case against De Lima and Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda for fact finding investigation.

Private lawyer Agustin Sundiam asked the high court to take disciplinary action against De Lima and Lacierda for their utterances and remarks on national television where they called Chief Justice Corona a “lawless tyrant.”

Sundiam said the two secretaries violated their oath as lawyers requiring them to “observe and maintain the respect and dignity due to the courts of justice and judicial offers.”

Under the JBC Rules particularly Rule 4 Section 5, those disqualified from being nominated or appointed to any judicial, Ombudsman or deputy ombudsman position include: 1. those with pending criminal or regular administrative cases; 2. those with pending criminal cases in foreign courts or tribunals; 3, those who have been convicted in any criminal case or in an administrative case where the penalty imposed is at least a fine of more than P10,000 unless he has been grated judicial clemency.

But one of the IBP Zambales Board of Directors lawyer Josefina Bueno told reporters that the case against De Lima is simply meant to harass the Justice Secretary.

Other nominees
Before De Lima’s nomination, different groups and individuals had recommended the appointment of Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares and prominent lawyer and women’s rights advocate Katrina Legarda as Corona’s successor.

Also nominated were former Ateneo de Manila University law school dean Cesar Villanueva, Inquirer columnist and former University of the Philippines’ College of Law dean Raul Pangalangan and former Laguna Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Marianito Sasondocillo.

The five most senior justices of the Supreme Court—acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Arturo Brion and Diosdado Peralta —had also been automatically nominated for the post of Chief Justice. With Tetch Torres, INQUIRER.net

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Boracay tourist arrivals up despite China cancellations

ILOILO CITY—Cancellations of tourist bookings from China have failed to make a dent on tourist arrivals on Boracay Island for the first half of the year, data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed.

Tourist arrivals from January to May this year reached 616,210, up by 43.18 percent compared to the 430,383 tourists who went to the island-resort during the same period last year.

Revenues recorded in the comparative period also increased by 43.18 percent from P7.911 billion last year to P11.328 billion this year.

Tourists from China, for the first half of the year, increased from 20,596 to 57,503 while those from Hong Kong also increased from 2,435 to 3,051 compared to last year.

Last month, resorts and hotels on Boracay Island reported cancellation of bookings of tourists from China amid the ongoing standoff over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

China is the third-biggest market for foreign tourists in Western Visayas following Korea and the United States.

But tourist arrivals from China last month still reached 4,415, higher than the 4,187 in the same month last year. Tourists from Hong Kong slightly dropped by almost half from 816 to 426.

“Whatever impact of the cancellations of tour packages from China was easily covered by tourists from other countries,” said Helen Catalbas, DOT regional director.

She said individual Chinese tourists not covered by tours were still coming.

“Tour operators from Taiwan even welcomed the slack in tour packages from China because of better packages and more rooms for their clients,” she said.

Tourists from Taiwan reached 43,042 from January to May this year, up from the 31,750 in the same period last year.

The DOT in Western Visayas will conduct a seminar for Taiwanese tour guides and operators staying in Boracay in preparation for more tourists from Taiwan.

She said tourism in the region would also be boosted with the start of direct international flights between Iloilo  and Hong Kong and Singapore.

More Scarborough Shoal news here.

Jessica Sanchez’s trainer says she’s only just begun


LOS ANGELES, California — Vocal coach/mentor Robert Talon confessed that when his now-famous ward, “American Idol” Season 11 runnerup Jessica Sanchez was nearly eliminated seven weeks into the final stretch, it affected her so much that “she started trying too hard.”

Sanchez was declared to have received the lowest number of votes on the April 13 episode of the show, but judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler pulled out the lifeline for her. “You’re not going home! This is ridiculous! We’re using the save,” exclaimed Lopez, interrupting the proceedings onstage. “This girl is one of the best singers in America, ever,” Jackson added.

(Sanchez lost to 21-year-old Phillip Phillips at the grand finals on May 23.)

Biggest critic
“Jessica is her own biggest critic. She likes things to be perfect,” Talon said of the 16-year-old powerhouse singer from Chula Vista, California. “I think her near elimination played with her head a little. After that, she started trying too hard instead of singing from the heart, like she’s used to doing.”

Talon added that Sanchez eventually “pulled it together when she needed to and continued on in the competition like the champ that she was.”

He pointed out that the future is certainly looking bright for Sanchez, who is among the Idol Top 12 to be featured in a concert tour starting this month. She was also invited to sing the US national anthem in the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley boxing match in Las Vegas yesterday.

Singer-actress ThalĂ­a—wife of Tommy Mottola, who coowns Casablanca Records—announced on Twitter recently that Mottola was “ready to work” with Sanchez.

Talon received a brand-new car from “Idol” as a reward for helping out Sanchez for the duration of the show. The Filipino-American mentor took time to chat with the Inquirer about his exceptionally talented student.
What is Jessica like as a person? How serious is she about music?

Jessica is one of the humblest people one can ever meet. At the same time, she is quite focused on what she wants to do with regards to her music. She is driven, and she aims for the top.

Is she really so mature as to keep assuring the whole world that the results were fair and Phillips deserved to win?

Jessica may only be 16, but she is mature beyond her years. When she said the results of “American Idol” were fair and that Phillip deserved to win, she meant it. She’s not one to sugarcoat.

Who picked the songs that she sang on “Idol”? What more do you think the girl can do that wasn’t already highlighted on TV?

At the end of the day, Jessica picked every single song she sang on the show. She was positioned as the female singing powerhouse on the program. Although she’s great at that, she still has so much in her arsenal to give to her fans, which is why they should be excited to see what she puts out in her first album. I can’t wait!
What should Jessica look out for?

She’s only 16. When it comes to talent and image, she’s got it … But we’ve told her repeatedly to always keep her feet on the ground and never forget where she came from. We’ve seen this scene played over and over in Hollywood—fame easily goes to one’s head if not managed right. There’s got to be one stern individual in her circle who’ll be able to tell her, “No!” when needed.

How does she take care of her voice?
 She rests her voice when she needs to. Her mom whips up some ginger tea when her throat is a little sore. Other than these, vocal exercises keep her voice strong.
How does she dress offstage? Does she have a boyfriend?

She’s a very simple girl. Dress her up in jeans and T-shirt and she’s fine. No time for boys right now.

How long have you been working with Jessica? How did you feel when she was almost booted?

I’ve known Jessica since she was 9. My heart dropped when she was almost eliminated. Thanks to the judges, that was short-lived.

What are your qualifications as a coach?
I was never officially her vocal coach—just someone who helped guide her in making good, smart, sound decisions during the competition. And I’m definitely one of her biggest fans!
How do her parents treat you?

Her mom and dad became my best friends throughout this journey. It was like a roller-coaster ride, but well worth it.

How unique is Jessica’s talent compared to other singers that you have also helped?
I have yet to see another undiscovered person with Jessica’s talent in the years I’ve been working with her. She’s truly a diamond in the rough. We are all blessed to have witnessed this rising star on the show this year. What’s crazy is that she has only started. It’s the infancy of her career and the whole world now gets to come along for the ride!

Read more Jessica Sanchez news here.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

‘AI’–the aftermath

ONCE again, true singing talent has been upstaged by boy-next-door cuteness on “American Idol,” with Philip Philips winning over Jessica Sanchez—and there are many lessons to be learned from that aftermath.
First, don’t take the popular talent tilt all that seriously—certainly not as a matter of life and death, as some of our friends have.

They’re still smarting from the monumental snub—but, hey, get a life. There’s more to human existence than the shrieking approval of a bunch of pimply tweens.

And, there’s more to “national pride” than being collectively rebuffed by them! Fact is, “national pride” didn’t even enter into their consciousness at all! They turned up their noses at Jessica because she wasn’t of the right gender (as they consistently have since 2007), period.

Are the Mexicans, whose ethnic persuasion comprises half of Jessica’s gene pool, freaking out just because she lost? No, it’s her Philippine side that’s going bonkers—ironically, because of Philip Philip-ine’s victory over “our” best bet.

Belated admission
Other postscripts: The winner’s belated admission that he had medical problems all along, and in fact may have to go under the knife soon is seen by some desperate local straw-clutchers as a duplicitous denouement that may just possibly alter the tilt’s outcome in Jessica’s favor.

But, we think that the likelihood of that happening is so minuscule a probability that it will have to be appreciated by its diehards with the help of an electron microscope! After all, the young man won as the tilt’s most popular bet, not its healthiest.

She may not have romped off with the “American Idol” crown, but Jessica has benefited enormously from the exposure and showcase that the tilt gave her.

At only 16 years of age, she has exhibited a range and musical maturity beyond her years that’s sure to be further developed and showcased by top record producers.

If their different moves and gambits are successful, Jessica should emerge as the most acclaimed part-Filipino talent on the international performing scene.

Best proof
To us, the best proof of her precocious claim to global fame came by way of her extremely rigorous duet with the Jennifer Holliday in the “AI” finals, when they mutually “attacked”—and “conquered”—the most difficult number from “Dreamgirls,” “(And I’m Telling You) I’m Not Going.”

The number was made even more “symbolic” by the fact that it was the song that “made” Holliday a star when she first rendered it as young talent on the musical stage.

Now, it was Jessica’s turn to benefit from the song’s starmaking ability, by holding her own as they performed it, despite Holliday’s vastly greater experience—and penchant for “killing” the competition.
Depite Holliday’s best efforts, Jessica survived the mano-a-mano “duel of divas”—a harbinger of future triumphs to come! More Jessica Sanchez news here.

Monday, June 4, 2012

US military chief’s visit to improve bilateral relations—AFP spokesman

MANILA, Philippines — The visit of the United States Joint Chief of Staff Army General Martin Dempsey in the Philippines underscores the importance of the Philippines as an ally of the US, a military spokesman said.

The meeting between Dempsey and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Jessie Dellosa is part of the Mutual Defense Treaty, Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. told reporters.
“It will enhance further the bilateral relations of both countries,” he said.

But Burgos added that with or without the ongoing standoff at Scarborough Shoal between China and Philippines, the meeting would have still happened as part of the MDT.

The two military leaders will discuss security issues including the West Philippine Sea, security in Mindanao, among others, he added.

The meeting is a chance to conclude the discussion at the 11th Asia Security Summit of International for Strategic Studies which both Dempsey and Dellosa attended several days ago, Burgos also said.
Dempsey arrived for the meeting at General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo Monday morning where he was given arrival honors.

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