(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 09 July 2025) The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) continues to affect Mindanao. FORECAST: The Zamboanga Peninsula will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the Southwest Monsoon. These conditions may lead to possible flash floods or landslides, especially during moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall. The rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms also influenced by the Southwest Monsoon. Winds will be light to moderate from the southwest, with slight to moderate seas (wave height between 0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Thursday, May 20, 2021

President Duterte tackles South China Sea, security issues with Japanese PM Suga

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discussed the South China Sea and regional security issues during a phone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Malacañang said in a statement Wednesday.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga discuss matters during a phone call at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on May 19, 2021. ROBINSON NIÑAL/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

During the phone conversation, President Duterte emphasized the need for cooperation on promoting domain awareness, maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight and maritime connectivity and commerce.

At the same time, the Filipino leader underscored the need to recognize and work for the peaceful settlement of disputes, stating that the eruption of conflict in the Asia-Pacific region would be harmful to regional interest.

Alliances and partnerships, he said, must redound to greater stability in the South China Sea and uphold the broader collective interest of the Asia-Pacific region.

The President also expressed his gratitude to Japan for its generous assistance to fight COVID-19, including the 20 billion yen initially approved out of the 50 billion yen Post-Disaster Standby Loan.

This is on top of 1 billion yen provided by Japan for cold chain development in the Philippines.

Prime Minister Suga, for his part, recognized and expressed his support for the Philippine government’s efforts to address the pandemic.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitments to further strengthen bilateral ties as the Philippines and Japan celebrate this year 65 years of normalized relations and 10 years of Strengthened Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister Suga was supposed to visit the Philippines but postponed his trip to address Japan’s COVID-19 situation. President Duterte expressed the country’s solidarity with the Japanese people in combating the pandemic.  PND