LOOK: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomes Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos at the Vancouver Convention Center on July 2. Carney and Marcos are set to hold a bilateral meeting. (Press pool) @here

JUST IN - President Marcos, Prime Minister Carney announce elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. @here

PH-Canada agreements signed in Vancouver @here

Here's the list of agreements and declarations signed between the Philippines and Canada after the bilateral meeting earlier here in Vancouver —

1. MOU between the DOT of the Republic of the Philippines and the Department of Industry of Canada on Tourism Cooperation;

2. MOU between the NCCA of the Republic of the Philippines and the Department of Canadian Heritage of Canada on Cultural Cooperation; and,

3. Joint Declaration of Intent Concerning Energy and Natural Resources Cooperation between the Philippines and Canada.

4. Joint Declaration of Intent Between the Department of Migrant Workers of the Philippines and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration of Canada Concerning Labour and Migration Cooperation

More details on Tibet UNHQ incident (CW: self-harm) : Police in New York said a man has died from severe burns near the United Nations headquarters, and activists ⁠and a media outlet ⁠of exiled Tibetans identified ​him as a Tibetan who set himself on fire in an appeal for independence.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/03/tibet-china-man-tibetan-flag-set-himself-on-fire-dies-un-united-nations-new-york

Pres Marcos thanks the Filipino community gathered here in Vancouver for representing the Philippines well.

Philippine Ambassador JV Chan-Gonzaga, meanwhile, hails Filipinos here -- those in healthcare and education to leaders in society -- for their work in British Columbia and the rest of the country in contributing to Canada’s growth.

Marcos tells the community here that it's his admin’s goal to make migration a matter of choice, and not because Filipinos lack opportunity back home.

President Marcos is en route to Manila following an official visit to Canada.

PH says China's recent ballistic missile test 'a reckless display of military power' @here

In a statement on Tuesday, July 7, the Philippine Defense Department said it "shares the concern about China’s recent ballistic missile test in the South Pacific, a reckless display of military power that shows little regard for smaller countries and the fragile ecological systems that sustain their people."

"This launch serves no peaceful purpose and is a calculated act of taunting and provocation against those who reject China’s illegal expansionism and coercive conduct. The Philippines stands with its Pacific partners in calling on China to act responsibly and stop turning shared seas into arenas of intimidation and imperial ambition," said its spokesperson, Arsenio R. Andolong.

Meanwhile, last week officials from the Philippines and China met in Manila for a bilateral meeting. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Marshall Louis Alferez met with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General for Asian Affairs Liu Jinsong.

The Philippine release reads: "The meeting aimed to build on momentum from the recent discussions under the Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations and the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea, which were both held in Quanzhou, China on 28 March 2026. Both sides tackled pressing issues of bilateral importance and exchanged their respective positions in an open and frank manner. They reaffirmed the value of continued dialogue, open channels of communication, and the peaceful management of differences through diplomacy, while pursuing practical and non-sensitive areas of cooperation that are mutually beneficial.

The officials also discussed ways to maintain constructive engagement in the lead-up to upcoming regional meetings, including ASEAN and APEC-related engagements this year. Both sides reiterated their commitment to advance a stable Philippines-China bilateral relationship, as well as contribute to maintaining a peaceful regional environment."

US envoy to PH says Beijing ballistic missile test 'runs counter to regional stability' @here

US ambassador to Manila Lee Lipton, in a statement, says the US "[shares] the Philippines’ concerns about the missile launch and remain committed to our oldest security Ally in the region."

He adds: "The IRONCLAD U.S.-Philippine Alliance has been a tremendous and transparent source of regional peace and stability for over seven decades."

"Beijing’s provocative missile launch yesterday is further evidence of its rapid and secretive nuclear weapons development program, which runs counter to regional stability and is inconsistent with the pursuit of meaningful arms control discussions."

Foreign Affairs chief orders PH embassy in Ottawa: 'Determine specifics' of incident between Castro, protester @here

The DFA, in a statement, said it was "looking into the incident" of a protester in Vancouver who heckled and tried to tail Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, who was part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr's delegation during an official visit to Canada.

Says the DFA: "Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro has instructed the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver to coordinate with Canadian authorities in determining the specifics of the incident as well as the applicable laws and security protocols covering visiting foreign dignitaries."

CONTEXT: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/vancouver-protest-ferdinand-marcos-jr-claire-castro-july-3-2026/

Hello, everyone! Rappler is currently sitting down with AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Roy Vincent Trinidad to talk about the 2016 Arbitral Award, its continued significance, and how the Philippines should and can ensure its implementation.

What do you want to know? Drop your question in this chat room, and we'll bring it up in our AMA session.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/live/J7e_Khw6oEk

Hello po! Here's my question:

What did the government do over the past ten years that has been prominent in securing the rights of Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea?

Myanmar regime MP Hla Swe from the military‑backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) told parliament on Thursday that the Philippines should withdraw from ASEAN, accusing Manila of violating the bloc’s non‑interference principle by engaging with Myanmar’s opposition forces.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DVQU553HX/ (The Irrawaddy)

Title has been edited. Thank you!

Ambassadors join Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at the Stratbase Institute's high level forum to commemorate the anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on Friday, July 10. | Photos by Jonvic Digma/Rappler @here