Weekly Philippines (PH) and the World is a weekly curation of the the biggest news for the week. Be updated every Saturday. Follow | Upvote | Resteem @gilnambatac

1. China denies land-grbbing allegations in Maldives

Feb 12, 2018

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen and Chinese President Xi Jinping/Reuters](https://thewire.in/200906/maldives-parliament-approves-fta-china-amidst-opposition-boycott/)

Amid the raging political crisis in the Maldives, China on Monday refuted allegations made by former Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed that Beijing is engaging in grabbing land in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation. "Recently, former Maldivian President Nasheed made a lot of false remarks in the Indian media.

"He pointed fingers at the practical cooperation between China and Maldives and alleged that China engaged in so-called 'land grabbing' of Maldivian islands, which undermines the security of the Indian Ocean region," Ji Rong, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy here, said in a statement. -News18.com

2 Haruki Murakami Festival in the Philippines

Feb 13, 2018

Photo by Flavor Wire

The event is divided into 3 parts –Talk about Murakami, Watch Murakami, and Listen to Murakami. It will start with the opening night on February 27 and will be headed by Alona Guevarra and Julz Riddle, professors from Ateneo de Manila. The talk will be held at the Leong Hall Auditorium, Ateneo de Manila University.

Two more talks are scheduled on March 17 and 18. On March 17, John B. Labella, Mary Thomas, professors from the Ateneo De Manila University, and Luna Sicat Cleto from the UP Institute of Creative Writing Fellow will lead the the "Talking About Murakami" at Fully Booked at Bonifacio High Street.

3. Gabriela Southern Mindanao on Duterte: “We were wrong”, MindaNews

Feb 14, 2018

Photo by Gabriela Women's Party (Not Actual Photo)

“Despite his expletives, cussing and misogynistic remarks, we supported him, hoping that he, indeed, would bring genuine change for the marginalized communities. WE WERE WRONG,” Gabriela Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) said in a statement reacting to the President’s remarks that soldiers should not kill female members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) but shoot their vagina to render them useless.

In its statement titled “No to Sexualization of Women,” Gabriela-SMR wrote “We were wrong” in all caps and in boldface, apparently for emphasis. -Carolyn Arguillas, MindaNews

4. President has no choice but to complete term – Alvarez, Inquirer

February 15, 2018

Photo by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

President Rodrigo Duterte has no choice but to remain the country’s leader during the transition to a federal government, according to Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Alvarez was asked to react to Mr. Duterte’s pronouncement on Monday that he would not accept any position in a transition government if the administration succeeded in its effort to revise the 1987 Constitution and federalize the republic.- DJ Yap/ Inquirer

5. GPH still wants to pursue peace with CPP-NPA-NDFP

Photo by Concept News Centeral

Tvedt reiterated her government’s commitment to help the Philippines in its peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP), said Roque.

The President welcomed her statement and said the goal of peace must be achieved with due regard for the country’s interests.

“The President stressed that the Philippines is committed to peace,” Roque said in a statement.

But in a separate interview with reporters, Roque said the peace talks with the communist insurgents were not about to resume anytime soon, and the war against the NPA would continue. -Leila B. Salaverria, Inquirer

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