NOW: Manila hosts the 5th Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development during the ASEAN AMM/PMC

NOW -- Manila hosts ASEAN+3 foreign ministers meeting. +3 refers to Japan, South Korea, and China.

Philippine Foreign Sec Lazaro highlights importance of ASEAN+3 amid global shocks. Says FMs will be reviewing progress of partnerships today.

In opening statements, ministers highlight previous instances of collaboration -- the financial crisis, COVID19. They speak too of the importance and potential of expanding that to cover energy, too.

President Marcos confers Order of Lapu-Lapu, financial aid to soldiers hurt in Ayungin clash with China @here

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during a trip to Palawan province, visited two soldiers who were injured in a clash with China Coast Guard personnel who entered Ayungin Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre is stationed. In a release, Malacañang said the two were conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu and P100,000 in financial aid. 

Both Manila and Beijing has traded allegations over who triggered the confrontation. The two countries have also filed protests against each other. Marcos had earlier summoned the Chinese ambassador to Manila to protest the incident.  

DFA STATEMENT ON CASKETS BEARING ANTI-CHINESE MESSAGE

The Manila, 7 August 2026 — The Department of Foreign Affairs does not condone acts or threats of violence against any individual, including foreign nationals or officials. Such irresponsible and disrespectful acts cannot be tolerated.

While the Philippines upholds the right to freedom of expression, the DFA emphasizes that this right does not extend to threats of violence or acts that endanger the safety and security of others. Such actions do not reflect the Philippine government's approach to conducting its foreign relations, nor do they represent how  Filipinos express criticism or dissatisfaction, even on sensitive political matters.

The Philippine government reaffirms that it takes seriously its duties and obligations concerning the safety and security of foreign nationals and officials in the country, including those arising from the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

The DFA is closely coordinating with law enforcement authorities, who are taking the necessary steps to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine accountability for this reckless act. (END) | via @Bea Cupin - RAPPLER

US War Undersecretary for Policy Elbridge Colby's public stop in his first official engagement in the region is a fireside chat in Manila.

In speech ahead of fireside chat, Colby pushes back against "commentariat" view of United States' decline, disengagement with Asia, says US "vital national interest" makes their "enduring" presence in Asia necessary. "We are not leaving — in fact we are digging in."

Adds: "No longer can countries simply assume that America can go along with unbalanced relationships…. We are proud to implement that in the defense arena… [for instance] in terms of pressing allies to spend more on defense."

PH embassy says no Filipinos harmed after 7.7 quake in Eastern Indonesia

The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta reported no Filipinos residing in Indonesia has been harmed by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck off the eastern part of the country on Saturday, August 15.

Filipinos who need assistance may call the embassy through the Assistance-to-Nationals hotline: +62 811 887 344 (WhatsApp) or jakartap.atn@dfa.gov.ph.

As of this posting, at least 20 died and the tsunami warning has been lifted. @here

Related: https://www.rappler.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesia-earthquake-august-15-2026/