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Trump gives Iran 48 hours to open Strait of Hormuz

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Trump gives Iran 48 hours to open Strait of Hormuz

TEL AVIV, Israel — U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a renewed warning to Iran to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, as tensions escalate alongside an ongoing search for a missing American military pilot.

Trump reiterated his deadline in a social media post, stating: “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out — 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them.”

Tehran swiftly rejected the warning, describing it as “unbalanced and foolish,” while military rhetoric intensified on both sides. Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi warned that “the doors of hell will be opened” if Iran’s infrastructure is targeted, adding that U.S. military-linked facilities across the region could become targets in retaliation.

The latest developments come as the search continues for a missing U.S. pilot in a remote area of Iran, following reports that two American warplanes were downed on Friday. Iranian authorities have called for efforts to locate what they described as an “enemy pilot,” further heightening tensions.

The conflict, now in its sixth week, began with joint U.S.-Israel strikes on February 28 and has since resulted in thousands of deaths. It has also disrupted global markets, strained key shipping routes, and driven up fuel prices worldwide. Both sides have been accused of targeting civilian infrastructure, raising concerns over potential war crimes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces struck a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, which he claimed was linked to funding Iran’s war efforts. Iranian state media reported that the attack killed five people and injured 170 others.

Separately, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization reported that an airstrike struck near the Bushehr nuclear facility, killing a security guard and damaging a support building. The site has reportedly been targeted four times since the conflict began. The head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, said that 198 workers were being evacuated from the facility.

Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict are ongoing. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said negotiations are “right on track,” following Islamabad’s earlier announcement that it plans to host talks between U.S. and Iranian officials.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran remains open to discussions, stating that Iranian officials “have never refused to go to Islamabad.”

Regional mediators from Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt are working to bring both sides to the negotiating table. A proposed compromise under discussion includes a temporary cessation of hostilities to pave the way for a broader diplomatic settlement, according to officials familiar with the talks.

Iran signals openness to peace talks as search intensifies for missing U.S. pilot

Venus L Peñaflor
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Iran signals openness to peace talks as search intensifies for missing U.S. pilot

CAIRO/WASHINGTON — Iranian forces continued searching on Saturday for a missing American pilot from one of two U.S. warplanes reportedly downed over Iran and nearby Gulf areas, underscoring the escalating risks as the conflict entered its sixth week with no immediate breakthrough in peace negotiations.

The incidents have raised fresh concerns over the safety of U.S. and Israeli aircraft operating in the region, despite earlier assertions by Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that American forces maintained control of the skies.

According to officials from both sides, Iranian fire brought down a two-seat U.S. F-15E fighter jet. Separately, two U.S. officials said a pilot ejected from an A-10 Warthog aircraft that later crashed in Kuwait after being struck by Iranian defenses.

Search and rescue efforts have faced additional danger. Two Black Hawk helicopters deployed to locate the missing pilot were also hit by Iranian fire but managed to exit Iranian airspace, U.S. officials told Reuters. The extent of injuries among the helicopter crews remains unclear.

On the ground, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was combing a southwestern المنطقة where the pilot’s aircraft reportedly went down. A regional governor added that rewards would be offered for anyone who captured or killed what he described as “forces of the hostile enemy.”

Amid the heightened tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi signaled that diplomatic channels remain open, particularly through Pakistan.

“We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad. What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us,” Araqchi said in a post on X.

Diplomatic sources indicate that backchannel efforts involving regional mediators, including Pakistan, have intensified in recent days, although no formal talks have been scheduled. Analysts say both sides appear to be weighing military pressure against the risks of broader regional escalation.

Meanwhile, U.S. defense officials have reportedly increased aerial surveillance and search operations in coordination with Gulf allies, as the hunt for the missing pilot continues. The situation remains fluid, with the potential to further strain already fragile diplomatic efforts.

Observers note that while rhetoric on both sides remains firm, the renewed mention of mediation suggests that pathways to de-escalation, though limited, are still being explored.

Collapse of aging cherry blossom trees raises safety concerns during Tokyo’s peak viewing season

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Collapse of aging cherry blossom trees raises safety concerns during Tokyo’s peak viewing season

TOKYO — The collapse of several aging cherry blossom trees in Tokyo has raised public safety concerns at the height of Japan’s annual “sakura” viewing season, as authorities grapple with the challenges of maintaining decades-old urban greenery.

Many of Tokyo’s iconic Somei Yoshino cherry trees, widely planted during Japan’s postwar expansion in the 1960s, are now showing signs of deterioration. Experts say age, environmental stress, and internal decay are contributing to their increasing fragility.

On Thursday, two cherry trees collapsed — one at Kinuta Park and another along the Chidorigafuchi Greenway. The Kinuta Park tree damaged a fence, while the other nearly fell into the moat surrounding the Imperial Palace. No injuries were reported.

Officials said the fallen tree at Kinuta Park stood about 18 meters tall with a trunk measuring 2.5 meters in diameter and was believed to be more than 60 years old. A separate incident in March at the same park left a passerby injured when another aging tree collapsed.

Data from the Tokyo metropolitan government showed that 85 trees fell in city parks last year, injuring three people. Many of those incidents involved cherry trees, according to parks official Masakazu Noguchi.

Tokyo assembly member Yutaka Kazama earlier raised alarm over visibly weakened trees, noting on social media that some had exposed roots or signs of rot. He called for stronger safety measures while avoiding indiscriminate tree removal.

Experts point to aging, internal fungal decay, and environmental stressors — including extreme summer heat and prolonged dry conditions — as key factors weakening the trees. Tree specialist Hiroyuki Wada said warning signs include heavy leaning, visible holes, and mushroom growth near the base, all of which may indicate structural instability.

“Many trees in our daily lives were planted soon after the war and are now 70–80 years old and getting weaker,” Wada said, adding that climate change may also be accelerating their decline.

In response to recent incidents, authorities conducted safety inspections across major parks ahead of the peak bloom period. At Kinuta Park alone, more than 800 cherry trees underwent preliminary checks. Some were cut down, while warning signs were posted near others considered at risk — though the tree that collapsed Thursday reportedly had no such notice.

“At the moment, our measures are mostly temporary, not fundamental steps such as replanting,” Noguchi said. “We call on visitors to use caution because we cannot say it’s safe even after inspection.”

At Inokashira Park, one of the city’s most popular viewing spots, dozens of aging cherry trees and branches have been removed in recent years as part of a long-term regeneration plan. However, the effort has drawn mixed reactions, with some visitors lamenting the loss of the once continuous canopy of pink blossoms.

Despite the risks, many visitors continue to flock to parks to enjoy the fleeting beauty of the blooms. “I’m a bit worried, but I guess it’s OK if we stay away from tree trunks,” said visitor Lisa Suzuki. Another parkgoer, Akira Kamiyashiki, said safety measures such as restricted areas offered reassurance as he visited with his daughter.

Cherry blossoms — or “sakura” — typically reach peak bloom from late March to early April, coinciding with the start of Japan’s new school and business year. The seasonal tradition of viewing and picnicking under the trees remains a cherished cultural practice, even as authorities and experts call for long-term solutions to preserve both public safety and the iconic landscape.

Ligtas na pagdaan sa Strait of Hormuz hindi agad magpapababa ng presyo ng fuel sa bansa – DOE

Venus L Peñaflor
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Ligtas na pagdaan sa Strait of Hormuz hindi agad magpapababa ng presyo ng fuel sa bansa – DOE

MAYNILA — Ang desisyon ng Iran na payagan ang ligtas na pagdaan ng mga langis na patungong Pilipinas sa Strait of Hormuz ay bahagi ng hakbang ng pamahalaan para sa risk management at hindi agad magreresulta sa pagbaba ng presyo ng langis sa bansa, ayon kay Secretary Sharon Garin ng Department of Energy (DOE) nitong Sabado.

Sa isang post sa Facebook, sinabi ni Garin na nakatiyak ang Pilipinas ng “safe and preferential access” sa Strait of Hormuz. Dagdag niya, makatutulong ito sa pagbawas ng panganib ng pagkaantala ng suplay ng langis, sa pagprotekta sa mga kargamento na konektado sa Pilipinas, at sa pagpapahusay ng kaligtasan ng mga Pilipinong seafarers sa gitna ng digmaan sa pagitan ng US at Israel laban sa Iran.

“Ito ay Risk Management, dahil sa panahon ng pandaigdigang tensyon, ang pagbawas ng panganib ay isang makabuluhang tagumpay na,” ani Garin.

Dagdag niya, “Gusto rin nating pamahalaan ang inaasahan ng publiko. Ang hakbang na ito ay hindi agad magpapababa ng presyo ng gasolina, at hindi rin nito nalulutas ang pangmatagalang structural challenge sa enerhiya. Ito ay patuloy nating tinutugunan bilang prayoridad.”

Binanggit din ni Garin na ang mga tanong at alalahanin tungkol sa saklaw at epekto ng kasalukuyang kasunduan ay “bahagi ng isang malusog at maalam na pampublikong talakayan.”

Ayon sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), nakamit ng Pilipinas ang ligtas na pagdaan sa Strait of Hormuz kung saan dumadaloy ang 20% ng langis at liquefied natural gas sa buong mundo matapos ang pag-uusap sa telepono ni Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro at Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

Tiniyak ni Araghchi kay Lazaro na papayagan ng Iran ang “ligtas, walang sagabal, at mabilis na pagdaan sa Strait of Hormuz ng mga barkong may watawat ng Pilipinas, mga pinagkukunan ng enerhiya, at lahat ng Pilipinong seafarers,” ayon sa DFA noong Huwebes.

Bilang paglilinaw aniya, ito ay hindi perpektong solusyon, at hindi nito inaalis ang lahat ng panganib,” ani Garin.

Batay sa Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) trading mula Marso 30 hanggang Abril 2, ayon sa isang pinagkakatiwalaang source sa industriya ng langis, posibleng tumaas ang retail diesel ng P17 hanggang P19 kada litro sa susunod na linggo.

Maaaring itulak nito ang presyo ng regular diesel hanggang P165 kada litro at premium diesel lampas sa P170 kada litro.

Ang presyo ng gasolina naman ay inaasahang tataas ng P3 hanggang P5 kada litro, na posibleng magdala sa presyo ng super premium, premium, at regular na gasolina sa humigit-kumulang P120, P117, at P110 kada litro, ayon sa pagkakasunod.

Ipinakita ng datos ng DOE na ang paggalaw ng presyo ngayong linggo, ang ika-13 para sa buong taon, ay nagresulta sa kabuuang net increase na P48.20 kada litro para sa gasolina, P90.05 kada litro para sa diesel, at P78.10 kada litro para sa kerosene.


New Insights into the Crucifixion: A Data-Driven Look at Jesus’ Death

Venus L Peñaflor
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New Insights into the Crucifixion: A Data-Driven Look at Jesus’ Death

JERUSALEM — The crucifixion of Jesus Christ remains one of history’s most studied events, not only for its religious significance but also for its historical and psychological dimensions. Historical records, forensic studies, and population estimates from the 1st century provide insight into the human and social impact of this moment.

Crucifixion, the method used, was reserved by Roman authorities for non-citizens, rebels, and criminals. Ancient sources, including Josephus, indicate that thousands were crucified during uprisings in Judea. For a figure like Jesus, who reportedly had hundreds of followers, the event sent a clear signal to both local populations and Roman rulers.

Modern forensic studies provide insight into the physical toll of crucifixion. Victims typically suffered extreme blood loss, asphyxiation, and shock. According to historical accounts and research, Jesus endured scourging with a flagrum (a multi-thonged whip embedded with metal or bone), which tore the skin and caused deep lacerations, and a crown of thorns that punctured the scalp. He was forced to carry a heavy crossbeam, likely worsening pre-existing injuries, before being nailed to the cross. Piercing of the wrists and feet with iron nails caused severe trauma to muscles and tendons, and his death likely resulted from a combination of exhaustion, blood loss, and asphyxiation within six to nine hours.

The crucifixion occurred during the Passover festival, when Jerusalem’s population swelled from roughly 50,000 to over 100,000 residents. This period of high population density increased tensions between Roman authorities and local communities. Executions served not only as punishment but also as political deterrence against rebellion.

Eyewitnesses reported unusual phenomena during the crucifixion, including darkness over the land for approximately three hours. While debated by historians, these accounts underscore the intense impact the event had on those who witnessed it. By 30–33 AD, Jesus’ teachings had already gathered several hundred dedicated followers in Judea, who would play a key role in spreading his message.

Astronomical studies, including analyses using NASA’s historical eclipse data, note a lunar eclipse on April 3, AD 33, which may align with biblical accounts of darkness over the land and a moon appearing blood-red after Jesus’ death. Scholars caution that NASA itself does not make theological claims, but the eclipse data offers a temporal marker for historians studying the event.

Estimated data from historical and forensic analyses indicate that the crucifixion lasted six to nine hours, with four to six Roman soldiers overseeing the execution, and immediate witnesses numbering between 50 and 120. Within twenty years, the early Christian movement had grown from a few hundred followers to tens of thousands, reflecting the profound social and cultural ripple effects of Jesus’ death.

By examining historical, social, and physiological data, researchers gain a clearer understanding of the crucifixion as both a human tragedy and a transformative historical event, with enduring significance that continues to shape faith, culture, history, and belief worldwide.

India begins long-delayed census with implications for welfare and political representation

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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India begins long-delayed census with implications for welfare and political representation

NEW DELHI — India has launched its long-delayed national population census, a massive undertaking expected to influence the distribution of welfare programs and reshape political representation across the country.

The census, considered the largest population count in the world, was originally scheduled for 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and logistical challenges. The last census in 2011 recorded a population of 1.21 billion. Current estimates place the population at more than 1.4 billion, making India the world’s most populous nation.

The first phase of the census began Wednesday and will continue through September. During this stage, enumerators will visit households across the country to collect data on housing conditions, infrastructure, and access to basic facilities. Each area is expected to be surveyed over the course of about a month.

Authorities said the process will combine traditional in-person interviews with digital tools, including a multilingual smartphone application that allows residents to submit information. The system is also integrated with satellite-based mapping to improve accuracy and coverage.

A second phase, scheduled from September until April 1 next year, will gather more detailed demographic information, including social and economic characteristics such as religion and caste.

More than 3 million government workers are expected to take part in the census. In 2011, around 2.7 million enumerators surveyed over 240 million households nationwide.

A key and potentially contentious aspect of the new census is its broader attempt to document caste data. Caste remains a deeply rooted system of social hierarchy in India, influencing access to resources, education, and economic opportunities. While hundreds of caste groups exist—particularly among Hindus—reliable and updated data on their population distribution remains limited.

The last comprehensive caste enumeration dates back to 1931 during British colonial rule. Since independence, beginning with the 1951 census, official counts have been limited to historically marginalized communities, including Dalits and Adivasis, classified as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and eligible for government benefits.

Successive governments have avoided conducting a full caste census, citing concerns that it could intensify social divisions and potentially lead to unrest.

The data collected through the census plays a critical role in shaping public policy, including the allocation of government welfare programs. It may also trigger a redrawing of electoral boundaries, as parliamentary and state legislative seats are adjusted to reflect population changes.

Recent legislation passed in 2023, reserving one-third of legislative seats for women, could further amplify the impact of any expansion in representation, increasing the number of positions allocated to female lawmakers.


Making sense of the phrase ‘too risky to share’

DC Alviar
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Making sense of the phrase ‘too risky to share’

First off, a blessed, solemn Holy Week and if it’s April 5, 2026, happy Easter. I miss how things used to be… It’s too risky to share. It seems like each scroll through social media we read the phrase “too risky to share” but it’s shared anyway. From kidding harmlessly to confessing profoundly, netizens write captions and posts until readers ask themselves what it means by that risk. 

Or if it’s real. 

Parang nakakahiya. Why is it posted in the first place? It may be another step without much depth or it may be the other way. Nagpapakatotoo lang.

“Too risky to share” makes sense (of course, we give the sharer the benefit of a doubt). We’ve not been comfortable volunteering all our information all the time; more so in public. It therefore expresses emotion with some protection. Lusot: “I’ll be honest, though it’s embarrassing.”

Asked why one is doing a penitencia, the usual response is, “Marami akong kasalanan.” Or: “Nagbabawas ng kasalanan.” “Too risky to share” is a declaration that “I’m not alone.” Which also means an invitation: “Join me or bear with me.” Many think that the generation now calls for more resistance and enough resilience (or enough of it). Wala nang hiya-hiya ngayon.

Losing its weight

Since it’s not really a risk, there is nothing insensitive to feel sorry about and no danger to speak of. From the very simple “wala lang” and “may masabi lang” to the most complicated: “I’m OK but no, I’m not… Too risky to share.” 

The phrase in question only means that the sharer tries to accessorize their post with it. Trying to be deep, the sharer’s post instead becomes an empty well.  (Isn’t that the reason the culture of reading can never be revived?) So young people will turn to optics. But the message is the message and it is incumbent upon them to understand its being more prevailing, never mind how good the medium is.

Following the moral direction

May this Holy Week prompt us to ask God to give us space to reflect, to grieve, and to hold on to what is right since we’re weighed down by conflict after conflict, distrust after distrust. We keep on communicating and world leaders conduct meeting after meeting, but this follows with war after war after war.

Maybe it helps if the US Congress is asked first of its approval before Donald Trump wage wars. But it’s too risky to share that he is his constituents’ leader. 

Some say that the US+Israel vs Iran (more popularly called US-Israel vs Iran) is a necessary evil in geopolitics. They say that US+Israel vs Iran (more popularly called US-Israel vs Iran) is a necessary evil in geopolitics.  I beg to differ. For the sake of national interest and security, there is reason to believe that it’s illogical; with the US “helping” Israel wage wars, I hope that peace-loving Americans will come out of their senses and stop their war-freak leaders, especially Trump. His mercurial temperament is the problem. He can’t do it in his own home, but his neighbor, his fellow American citizens, and some of their leaders have allowed and continue to allow it to go international.

That Israel and the US waging wars without rules must end. But it’s hard to start ending it if we’re only the Philippines and Filipinos. We still can help end it with God’s help. We need to communicate with Him. He is the ultimate Ruler, eternal Judge, and sender of the Savior, his Son Jesus Christ, who is the name above Trump, Netanyahu, and all other names.

If “without rules” is not the case for the Prime Minister of Israel, take a close look and read slowly the November 21, 2024 initial order of warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC): “Charges: Allegedly responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024.” 

He could have and should have done a Private Benjamin: Be sorry. It’ your best move. In initial phases of amity with Americans (or Trump/MAGA supporters), too much disclosure that you’re ready to receive their all-out support for your all-out war can cause discomfort. But going easy on your neighboring countries, which also brave deep, decades-old domestic problems on their own, will win Israel’s truly chosen battle: spreading love.

God who is slow to anger may ask Netanyahu to retract so many words, especially this: “History proves that unfortunately and unhappily, Jesus Christ has no advantage over Genghis Khan.” There’s no good argument overcoming morality (not even in war) with atrocities and so much power. Just be sorry. Recognize your wrongdoing. Vengeance belongs to the God of Israel, and you may accumulate worldwide popularity, rather than notoriety, when you begin to rule with the power of non-retaliation.

Some things are better left unsaid to leaders like Trump and Netanyahu… Too risky to share.


Pope Leo XIV, the first US pope, emerges as vocal critic of Trump over Iran war

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Pope Leo XIV, the first US pope, emerges as vocal critic of Trump over Iran war

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the global Catholic Church, has taken a markedly more assertive stance on international affairs, publicly urging Donald Trump to end the escalating Iran war in a significant shift from his earlier silence on U.S. politics.

For much of his first 10 months as pope, Leo avoided commenting on his home country and refrained from mentioning Trump. However, that approach has changed in recent weeks as he increasingly criticized the conflict and directly appealed to the U.S. president to pursue a path toward de-escalation.

In a public statement, Leo called on Trump to find an “off-ramp” to end the war, an American colloquialism seen by analysts as a deliberate attempt to communicate more directly with U.S. leadership.

Observers say the pope’s evolving tone signals an intention to position the Vatican as a counterweight to Trump’s foreign policy. Massimo Faggioli, a Vatican expert and professor at Trinity College Dublin, noted that Leo’s remarks appear carefully calibrated.

“I don’t think he wants the Vatican to be accused of being soft on Trumpism because he’s an American,” Faggioli said, adding that the pope’s use of familiar language was likely intentional.

Supporters within the Church say Leo is continuing a longstanding papal tradition of advocating peace. Blase Cupich, a close ally of the pope, said the difference lies in how the message is delivered.

“What is different … is the voice of the messenger,” Cupich told Reuters, noting that English-speaking audiences are now hearing the Vatican’s call for peace in more familiar terms.

In recent remarks, Leo took an unusually strong stance, saying God rejects the prayers of leaders who wage war with “hands full of blood.” The comments were widely interpreted by some conservative Catholic commentators as directed at Pete Hegseth, who has used religious language in defending U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

The statement prompted a response from the White House. Karoline Leavitt said there was nothing wrong with leaders encouraging prayers for military personnel.

Peace advocates have welcomed the pope’s intervention. Marie Dennis of Pax Christi said Leo’s appeal reflects “a heart broken by unrelenting violence” and resonates with those seeking an end to the conflict.

The pope’s criticism has been building over time. He previously questioned whether the Trump administration’s immigration policies aligned with Church teachings, though he avoided naming specific officials at the time. He also reshaped U.S. Catholic leadership in December, replacing Timothy Dolan with Ronald Hicks in a move seen as significant within Church circles.

In March, Leo intensified his calls for peace, urging Christian political leaders who initiate wars to reflect on their actions and saying that indiscriminate airstrikes should be banned.

Michael Czerny said the pope’s message carries global weight because it speaks to the common good, particularly for vulnerable populations.

“Pope Leo’s moral voice is credible, and the world wants desperately to believe that peace is possible,” Czerny said.

Leo is set to deliver a major message during upcoming Easter events at St. Peter’s Basilica, where his address is expected to include a renewed appeal for peace amid ongoing global tensions.

Tiniyak ng Iran ang ligtas na pagdaan ng mga barkong Pinoy sa Strait of Hormuz

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Tiniyak ng Iran ang ligtas na pagdaan ng mga barkong Pinoy sa Strait of Hormuz

MAYNILA – Inihayag ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) noong Huwebes na tiniyak ng Iran ang ligtas na pagdaan ng mga barkong may watawat ng Pilipinas, mga pinagkukunan ng enerhiya, at lahat ng Pilipinong seafarers sa Strait of Hormuz, na apektado ng kasalukuyang tensyon sa Middle East.

Ayon sa DFA, nagkaroon si Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro ng produktibong pag-uusap sa telepono kay Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi upang talakayin ang mas matibay na bilateral cooperation sa iba’t ibang larangan.

Tiniyak ng Iranian minister na “papayagan ng Iran ang ligtas, walang sagabal, at mabilis na pagdaan sa Strait of Hormuz ng mga barkong may watawat ng Pilipinas, mga energy sources, at lahat ng Pilipinong seafarers.”

Dahil dito, nakamit ng Pilipinas ang status bilang “non-hostile country,” na magbibigay proteksyon sa mga Pilipinong seafarers at makakatulong sa seguridad ng enerhiya ng bansa. Ayon sa DFA, “ang positibong hakbang na ito ay mahalaga para sa Pilipinas, dahil hindi lamang nito titiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga Pilipinong seafarers sa lugar kundi makakatulong din sa enerhiya ng bansa.”

Nagsimula ang pagpapatupad ng Iran ng blockade sa Strait of Hormuz noong Marso, ayon sa European Union naval officials, na nag-monitor ng mga radio warning na ipinadala sa maraming tanker. Gayunpaman, ipinaabot ng Tehran sa mga miyembro ng International Maritime Organization na ang mga “non-hostile vessels” ay maaaring mag-transit sa Strait of Hormuz kung makikipag-ugnayan sa mga awtoridad ng Iran.

Ayon sa Financial Times, tinukoy ng Iran sa liham nito na ang mga barkong konektado sa US at Israel, pati na rin ang “ibang kalahok sa agresyon,” ay hindi kwalipikado para sa innocent o non-hostile passage.

Ayon kay Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, “Mahalaga ito para sa proteksyon ng ating mga seafarers at sa suplay ng enerhiya ng bansa.” Idinagdag niya na si Secretary Lazaro ang mismong humiling sa pulong, na inilarawan bilang “exceptionally warm and open,” kasama si Energy Secretary Sharon Garin at Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeilzadeh.

Ayon kay Castro, “Ipinahayag ni Ambassador Esmaeilzadeh na matagal na nilang hinihintay ang aming pakikipag-ugnayan at muling tiniyak ang kanilang kahandaang tumulong sa Pilipinas sa pagpapaunlak ng kahilingan. Napagkasunduan naming ipasa ang lahat ng detalyadong kahilingan sa pamamagitan ng opisyal na diplomatic channels upang mapabilis ang proseso.”

Ang hakbang na ito ay kritikal sa gitna ng tumataas na presyo ng langis at ng deklarasyon ng Pilipinas ng national energy emergency dahil sa krisis sa langis na dulot ng tensyon sa Gitnang Silangan.

Oil prices surge, Asian stocks decline after Trump signals continued Iran attacks

Venus L Peñaflor
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Oil prices surge, Asian stocks decline after Trump signals continued Iran attacks

Global oil prices jumped sharply while Asian stock markets fell on Thursday following remarks by Donald Trump indicating that the United States would continue its military campaign against Iran, raising concerns over prolonged supply disruptions and economic instability.

Brent crude futures climbed by $6.33, or 6.3 percent, to $107.49 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $5.28, or 5.3 percent, to $105.40 per barrel. The surge reversed earlier losses of more than $1 recorded before Trump’s televised address.

The price spike comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly after Iran moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway for global energy shipments. The disruption has affected roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, intensifying what analysts describe as one of the most severe energy crises in decades.

“We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast. We’re getting very close,” Trump said on Wednesday, adding that US military objectives could be achieved within two to three weeks.

Investor sentiment across Asia weakened following the speech, with markets reacting to the prospect of sustained high energy costs. Southeast Asian economies, which depend heavily on imported oil, were particularly affected.

A key regional benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index, fell by 2.3 percent, while regional currencies slipped by 0.2 percent.

In South Korea, the KOSPI dropped 4.2 percent after earlier gains. President Lee Jae Myung called on lawmakers to swiftly approve a 26.2 trillion won ($17.3 billion) supplementary budget to stabilize the economy amid what he described as the “worst energy security threat” linked to the Middle East crisis.

Other regional markets also recorded losses. Singapore’s Singapore Exchange slipped 0.8 percent after opening at a two-week high, while Malaysia’s benchmark index declined by 1 percent. Stocks in Indonesia and Taiwan fell by approximately 1 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.

In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite Index dropped 0.53 percent, while the CSI 300 Index lost 0.74 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined by 1.1 percent, with technology shares falling even further.

According to Patrick Fok of Al Jazeera, Iran had earlier attempted to ease tensions by sending a message to the United States, stating it had “no enmity” with Americans and was acting in self-defense. The move briefly boosted investor confidence and lifted Wall Street stocks.

However, renewed uncertainty following Trump’s latest remarks has weighed heavily on global markets. Analysts note that any signs of de-escalation could quickly restore investor confidence and trigger a rebound in both oil prices and equities.

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