Context Dispatch

Cope Thunder PH 25-1, a joint exercise between the Philippine Air Force and the US Pacific Air Force, began on Monday, April 7, in Clark, once the largest Air Force base outside the US mainland. Scheduled to run through April 18, the exercises will take place at key training locations in Northern Luzon. The US will deploy 729 personnel and various aircraft, including FA-50PH, A-29B Super Tucano, and S70i Blackhawk helicopters, while the Philippines will send 250 personnel and 12 F-16 fighter jets. Observers from Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia will also participate. The exercises aim to enhance joint operational readiness and underscore the strengthening defense ties between the two allies amidst China’s growing military presence in the region.

The Bureau of Customs’ Enforcement and SecurityService (ESS) celebrated its 37th anniversary with a report highlighting significant accomplishments in border protection and anti-smuggling operations.

American drug companies, led by Moderna and Novavax, suffered significant stock market losses on Monday after the top vaccine official of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced his resignation.

Myanmar reported that the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck its second-largest city, Mandalay, on Friday killed at least 144 people and injured 732 more. A 6.4 magnitude aftershock also caused further damage to buildings and infrastructure. Myanmar's ruling junta welcomed international assistance to help hasten recovery from the disaster. In neighboring Thailand, a state of emergency was declared, and Bangkok was designated as a disaster area. Thai authorities confirmed that eight people were killed by the earthquake, with one of the most horrifying images being the collapse of a high-rise building still under construction.

Senator Imee Marcos’ fence-sitting appears to be undermining her re-election bid. The latest Stratbase-Social Weather Station survey, conducted from March 15-20, showed her support has dropped to 19 percent, down from 24 percent in February and 28 percent in January. Following the release of the survey results, Senator Marcos announced her withdrawal from the alliance supported by her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., citing her disagreement with his administration's decision to allow the ICC to arrest former President Rodrigo Duterte. The poll was conducted just days after Duterte was arrested and flown to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity.