OpenPinas: Weekly Review

AFP and US Indo-Pacific Command held their first 2026 maritime cooperative activity near Scarborough Shoal, the 11th since November 2023. The Philippines sent BRP Antonio Luna, a coast-guard OPV, and aircraft; the US sent USS John Finn and an MH-60R. The sail ran as ASEAN foreign ministers met in Cebu and Code of Conduct talks with China continued.

DFA made "firm representations" to the Chinese ambassador over public attacks on Philippine officials, including Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela, warning the exchanges could derail maritime diplomacy. Beijing had summoned Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz over Tarriela's remarks. Manila said protecting Filipino fishermen remains a lawful duty under the 2016 ruling.

The triple-decker ferry capsized about one nautical mile from Baluk-baluk Island shortly after midnight on the Zamboanga City–Jolo run, with 332 passengers and 27 crew aboard. At least 31 died and 10 were missing; 316 people were rescued. DOTR grounded Aleson Shipping's passenger fleet pending a nationwide safety audit.

ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I found Rodrigo Duterte fit to take part in pre-trial proceedings after a three-expert medical panel, rejecting an indefinite adjournment. The confirmation-of-charges hearing was set for February 23. Prosecutors allege he created and armed death squads that killed thousands during the drug war.

The Court en banc unanimously denied reconsideration of its ruling that the 2025 impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte violated the one-year bar. Spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said any new complaint could be filed only from February 6. Separate plunder and graft complaints over ₱650 million in confidential funds had been filed on January 21.

COMELEC deferred the March 30 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, the third postponement since BARMM's 2019 creation, saying the calendar was no longer feasible. The new districting law, BAA 86, ran into the 120-day precinct-freeze rule. Congress must now set another date.