Washington has offered to send two surveillance aircraft to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines' intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations against terrorists.
The Philippine force in Marawi, Mindanao (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Washington has offered tosend two surveillance aircraft to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines'intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations against terrorists,the US ambassador to the Philippines said on July 18.
Ambassador Sung Kim said that two Cessna 208planes will be delivered in a couple of weeks.
Kim stressed that the US is deeply concernedabout the security situation in Marawi City, where government forces have beenfighting against local terror groups for more than eight weeks.
The US has been providing a very importantsupport for the Armed Forces of the Philippines in terms of information andintelligence sharing, training, technical advice as well as equipment grants,Kim said in an interview with the Philippine ANC News.
He also noted that American troops are presentin Mindanao under the mutual defense treaty between the two countries, addingthat the US is committed to helping with the rehabilitation program for Marawi.
Previously, the Philippines military spokesmanadmitted that the US forces assisted the Philippine military in operationsagainst the Islamist militants, however, underlining that the US force justprovided technical support, not directly fighting the IS militants inMarawi.-VNA
The Philippine military on June 25 began to halt air and ground offensive against Islamic militants in southern Marawi city to allow residents to celebrate the end of the Ramadan festival.
The Philippine government will continue its policy of no negotiation with Islamic State (IS)–linked militant groups which are holed up in the southern city of Marawi, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said at a press conference on June 27.
The navy forces of the US and the Philippines has conducted a joint patrol in the Sulu Sea off the southern coast of the Philippines at the request of the latter’s government.
Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on July 3 that Philippine security authorities need more time to consider whether or not to lift the martial law on Mindanao island.
Philippine security forces have recently arrested three militants, including a alleged main financier and logistic supporter of the pro-Islamic State (IS) group that is currently withholding Marawi city in southern Philippines, the army said on July 5.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The Philippine force in Marawi, Mindanao (Source: VNA) 
