Here is an interesting report from the Wall Street Journal podcast: "We exclusively report that a new agreement between the Trump administration and the Philippines will establish a high-tech industrial hub on the country's main island. The deal signed today aims to lessen China's dominance over global supply chains. The Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs said the AI-powered manufacturing hub is planned for a 4,000 acre site that the US will occupy rent-free and administer it as a special economic zone. The hub will have diplomatic immunity and operate under US common law, the first arrangement of its kind anywhere in the world. The project aims to accelerate US manufacturing and secure critical minerals like nickel and cobalt, countering China's supply chain control."

https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/tech-news-briefing/tnb-tech-minute-us-partners-with-philippines-for-high-tech-manufacturing-hub/995acf5c-21be-4585-bc81-6c4fe73ac29e

This "the US will occupy rent-free and administer it as a special economic zone. The hub will have diplomatic immunity and operate under US common law". - WSJ report. In other words, the US will occupy our land without compensation to Filipinos? What did the Marcos government agree to on this deal? This is very suspicious.

Soldiers from the Philippines, US, and other partner nations officially kick off Balikatan 2026 today. Combat troops from the Japan Self-Defense Forces are participating in this year's drills for the first time ever. | via Bea Cupin/Rappler @here

PH exercise director MGen Francisco Lorenzo, US 1 MEF commanding general LtGen Christian Wortman hold press briefing @here

Officials from the Phiilippines and the United States — along with partner countries Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and France — officially open the 2026 edition of Balikatan, the yearly war games between treaty-allies the Philippines and the US.

What makes this year’s drills the biggest and what are soldiers from seven countries training for, exactly?

Rappler reporter Bea Cupin walks you through the three-weeks of exercises across the Philippine archipelago.

Watch the live recap here: https://www.youtube.com/live/M8oHkVMxhR4

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. swears in Gen. Eduardo S.L. Oban Jr. as National Security Adviser, replacing Eduardo Año who resigned from his post last week. Malacañang says Oban's appointment "[reinforces] the administration’s commitment to strengthening national security, defense planning, and inter-agency coordination toward a free, peaceful, and resilient Philippines."

MORE about Oban — https://www.rappler.com/philippines/things-to-know-eduardo-oban-marcos-national-security-adviser/

(PCO photos)

From Hormuz to Malacca https://www.rappler.com/world/asia-pacific/things-to-know-malacca-strait/

Atin Ito raises PH flag at Sandy Cay in defiance of China

Civil society group Atin Ito raises the Philippine flag at Sandy Cay, a reef near civilian-occupied Pag-asa Island, in what it calls a “defiant but peaceful act of resistance against China’s aggression within our waters.”

The delegation is led by Akbayan Representative Dadah Kiram Ismula.

“Our message is clear: the West Philippine Sea is ours. No amount of intimidation can erase that fact,” she said. @here

Screenshot from Atin Ito

It is what it is. Good morning just the same 😢 @here https://www.rappler.com/world/middle-east/south-korea-vessel-ablaze-strait-hormuz/

Good morning from Cebu!

We’re here now at the launching of the International Media Center for the 48th ASEAN Summit in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro started the press briefing with a discussion on the Cebu provinces’ aspirations for the summit—sustainable tourism and economic growth.

Gomez says that the biggest challenge in the hosting was the organizing committee’s pivot to a more “bare-bones” structure, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directives amid a nationwide energy emergency.

May 6-8 declared special non-working days in Lapu-Lapu, Cordova

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declares May 6 to 8 as special non-working days in Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova town to help alleviate traffic and ensure security amid Cebu’s hosting of the 48th ASEAN Summit.

Philippine Defense Sec Gibo Teodoro welcomes Japan Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjirō in Manila. The two officials are also set to witness a Maritime Strike exercise in Laoag on May 6. The Japan Self Defense Forces are participants in Balikatan 2026 -- the first combat troop deployment of Japan to the Philippines since World War 2.

Philippine, Japan defense chiefs agree to further discussions on defense equipment and technology, including the creation of a Technical Working Group.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque opens the ASEAN Economic Community Council meeting on Thursday, May 7, with a call to build on previous discussions to ensure that the region remains open and stable to trade.

Roque noted the challenges ASEAN's member states are facing – from high energy costs to supply chain disruptions brought by the Middle East crisis. While the discussions themselves will occur behind closed doors, Roque said that ordinary citizens within ASEAN will feel the impact of talks in stable prices, functioning supply chains, and continuous growth opportunities.

The ASEAN economic ministers earlier released a statement vowing to strengthen existing free trade agreements and to ratify a regional petrol security deal that includes a fuel sharing deal during times of crisis. This statement will be submitted to the ongoing ASEAN Summit as input to the region's collective response to the Middle East crisis.

Here's our earlier story on the different talking points of the economic ministers: https://www.rappler.com/business/asean-economic-ministers-strengthen-free-trade-deals-ratify-petrol-security-agreement/

ASEAN economic ministers and foreign ministers gather in Cebu on Thursday, May 7, to kick off high-level meetings ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit.

The ministers are scheduled to meet separately over several events in the morning, and then convene in a joint meeting later in the afternoon, before Southeast Asian leaders meet on Friday, May 8, for the 48th ASEAN Summit.

Screenshots from ASEAN Philippines 2026 YouTube stream