Context Dispatch

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday announced the apprehension of former AKO-Bicol Party-list Congressman Rizaldy “Zaldy” Co by Czech authorities for traveling without proper documents. Marcos said the former lawmaker wanted for his alleged role in the flood-control controversy is currently detained in Prague. he said the Philippine government is closely coordinating with Czech officials to ensure all legal procedures are followed and to facilitate his return to Manila “at the soonest possible time.” Authorities said they will keep the public informed as developments unfold.

An independent think tank is urging the government to reconsider plans for joint gas exploration with China in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine government and Japan on Friday signed agreements for major infrastructure projects aimed at boosting the country’s economy and improving transportation.

The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, together with the Stratbase Institute for Strategic and International Studies, held a high-level conference in Makati City to celebrate 70 years of friendship between Japan and the Philippines.

Cooperation between the Philippines and Japan was no longer a choice “but a requirement,” government leaders and experts said on Tuesday, as both countries marked the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations amid rising tensions both in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.