Philippines Roundup: What a Trump win means, ex-president's death squad, maritime exercises

Duterte admits to having a death squad

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte admitted to the existence of a personal 'death squad' during a recent Senate hearing regarding his controversial 'war on drugs'. He openly acknowledged that he employed gangsters instead of police to address crime in Davao City, arguing that his actions were aimed at eliminating threats to public safety. Despite the severe criticism, especially from figures such as former Senator Leila de Lima who attended the inquiry demanding accountability, Duterte denied any involvement in ordering extrajudicial killings, framing his statements as encouraging criminals to resist law enforcement. According to Asam News, the human toll during his administration from 2016 to 2022 is staggering, with estimates of drug-related killings ranging from 6,252 to possibly as high as 30,000, leading to international outcry and an investigation by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Currently, Duterte is seeking reelection as mayor of Davao City, while police have indicated plans to investigate the admission of the death squad's existence.

Joint naval exercises with the US

In a strategic military collaboration, the Philippine government has declared that joint naval exercises with the United States and other Western allies have been successful in mitigating China’s aggressive posturing in the South China Sea. According to reports from the Philippine Navy, the absence of Chinese coercive tactics was particularly noticeable during ten recent joint maritime drills. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad highlighted that these exercises have temporarily subdued Chinese actions, particularly during resupply missions of the Philippine Navy. In contrast, China reinforced its claims of sovereignty over the region, cautioning that military displays could exacerbate tensions. A call for greater unity among ASEAN countries against China's assertiveness was underscored by Trinidad, who critiqued the lack of support for the Philippines from the bloc, CNA reports.

What a Trump win means

The economic landscape in the Philippines could face considerable shifts after Donald Trump secured a second term in the U.S. presidential elections. Analysts predict potential alterations to U.S. trade policies that could adversely affect Philippine exports and foreign investments. An additional concern is the impact on remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) residing in the United States, which may be influenced by changing immigration policies. Overall, a Trump administration could usher in uncertainty regarding economic growth prospects and the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and the United States, ABS-CBN News reports.

Fexco expands in Philippines with Maya DCC partnership

In a bid to enhance the payment ecosystem for both international tourists and local businesses, Fexco has joined forces with Maya to introduce its Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) service throughout Maya’s expansive network comprising approximately 112,000 merchant terminals in the Philippines. This initiative comes in alignment with the country's recent resurgence in tourism, as evidenced by welcoming over 5.4 million international visitors in 2023. As reported by Fintech Finance News, the DCC service allows customers to complete transactions in their home currencies at the point of sale, thereby streamlining the payment process and increasing revenue opportunities for merchants. The collaboration underscores both companies' commitment to financial innovation and customer-centric solutions in the increasingly digital payment arena.

Marcos congratulates Trump

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos extended his congratulations to Donald Trump following his election victory, harbouring aspirations to fortify the 'unshakeable alliance' between the Philippines and the United States. This alliance is considered crucial as the Philippines navigates escalating tensions with China over territorial issues in the South China Sea. Marcos articulated the importance of collaboration to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes while expressing optimism that this alliance will persist irrespective of changes in U.S. presidential leadership, as echoed by the Filipino ambassador to the U.S., Jose Manuel Romualdez, reports CNA.