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.

Koizumi says Balikatan participation, demonstrates Japan's commitment not only in defense cooperation with the Philippines but to continue contributing to peace and stability in the region.

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

JUST IN: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to convene a trilateral meeting between himself and the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Cebu today at 6pm. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes leaders from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on May 8, 2026. The 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu is the first leaders-level meeting of the bloc with the Philippines as chair.

In their plenary and retreat, ASEAN leaders are set to talk about the effects of the Middle East conflict on Southeast Asia, particularly on oil supply and prices, food security, and the welfare of Southeast Asians across the globe.

Screenshots from ASEAN Philippines 2026 YouTube stream

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/live/5nGuk8nMSJU?si=m2cHJ3bCalitMPDa

The Los Castantes Cebu, Jose Gullas Visayas Chorale, and Lumad Basakanon dance troupe perform during the 48th ASEAN Summit.

Screenshots from ASEAN Philippines 2026 YouTube stream

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/live/5nGuk8nMSJU?si=m2cHJ3bCalitMPDa

Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations stand together for the traditional leaders’ family photo in Cebu on May 8, 2026 for the 48th ASEAN Summit.

Screenshots from ASEAN Philippines 2026 YouTube stream

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his opening statement as the plenary session of the 48th ASEAN Summit begins at the Mactan Expo in Cebu on May 8, 2026.

Southeast Asian leaders are expected to speak on ASEAN community building and how it must move forward to ensure regional energy security, food security, and the safety of Southeast Asians amid global disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

Screenshots from ASEAN Philippines 2026 YouTube stream

Police apprehend Greenpeace activists ahead of ASEAN summit opening

Police detained Greenpeace activists after staging a protest against fossil fuel and plastic dependence on Friday, May 8, at the Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City — the venue of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu.

As of this writing, the activists are being held at the Lapu-Lapu Police Station 2.

Photo from Greenpeace Philippines

Marcos is set to address media here at the ASEAN IMC following the plenary and retreat sessions of the 48th ASEAN Summit.

News update from @Bea Cupin - RAPPLER

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says the leaders' statement from the 48th ASEAN Summit outlines "practical measures" as a collective response to the Middle East crisis, and "sets the foundation for a coordinated regional response to future crises."

Just the latest proof of how the war is affecting us @here https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/seafarers-hurt-iran-drone-attack-ship-strait-hormuz-updates-may-7-2026/

🇵🇭 PHILIPPINES 🤝 PARAGUAY 🇵🇾

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with Paraguay President Santiago Peña at Malacañang Palace on May 11 for a bilateral meeting.

"Our meeting today will help bilateral relations deepen and we will find ways to enhance existing cooperation to chart the course for a reinvigorated, productive, and sustained collaboration," says Marcos to open the meeting.

Added the Philippine President: "Thus, as we convene this historic bilateral meeting, the Philippines and us Filipinos, who – as I was explaining to you, claim to be the only Latin country in Asia – once again, extend our hand of friendship and partnership to Paraguay as we continue to build our relations towards a future where our two peoples enjoy the benefits of stronger political, economic, and people-to-people ties."

(Photo courtesy of MPC pool)

Peña is the first Paraguayan President to visit the Philippines, more than six decades since diplomatic ties were established between the two countries.

After the bilateral meeting, the Philippines and Paraguay signed the following agreements:
- Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation on the Field Diplomatic Training between the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Paraguay
- Agreement between the Philippines and Paraguay on the waiver of visa requirements for holders of ordinary passports. This agreement paves the way for mutual visa-free entry privileges for ordinary passport holders from either country, in order to "[facilitate] business, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges"

MORE LUZON ECONOMIC CORRIDOR PARTNERS

Philippines, United States, and Japan announce in a joint statement that Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom have joined the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) partnership.

The LEC, first announced in April 2024, "enhances connectivity between Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas" and is the first in the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) corridor in the Indo-Pacific.

Peace adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento talks to Rappler on the implementation of peace in the Bangsamoro and the challenges ahead. Sarmiento was appointed by Malacañang a few months before the first parliamentary election in the region. Watch the Rappler Talk interview here: youtube.com/watch?v=R2SdZ5G8Fu8&pp=ygUHcmFwcGxlcg%3D%3D