The US has granted the Philippines the status as a "full military ally." The Philippines thus joins Australia, Bahrain, Egypt,  Israel, Japan, Jordan, Argentina, South Korea and New Zealand. The status means more military aid and better cooperation between the US and the full military ally. 

Meanwhile, in the offensive against the MILF in the south continued. Some 18,000 civilians have fled the area where the fighting is taking place. 

In the north, a feud between communist rebel factions from the NPA and RPA have left eight NPA and two RPA members dead. The police are pursuing survivors of the fight. The RPA is a splinter faction of the NPA.