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India backs Philippines in dispute with China
New Delhi has drawn a strong response from Beijing after reiterating its support for Manila in a territorial dispute India has "firmly reiterated" its support for the Philippines and its "national sovereignty," as Manila remains locked in a territorial dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea. Ten.....»»
India backs Philippines in sea dispute with China
New Delhi has drawn a strong response from Beijing after reiterating its support for Manila in a territorial dispute India has "firmly reiterated" its support for the Philippines and its "national sovereignty," as Manila remains locked in a territorial dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea. Ten.....»»
Philippines lodges strong protest with China over water cannon attack in disputed South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): In the wake of accusation by the Philippines that the Chinese Coast Guard wounded three of its soldiers during a water cannon attack in the disputed South China Sea, Manila on Monday summoned Beijing's envoy to lodge its strong protest, Al Jazeera reported. The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, in a statement said that Manila conveyed its "strong protest against the aggressiv.....»»
Philippines lodges strong protest with China over water cannon attack in disputed South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): In the wake of accusation by the Philippines that the Chinese Coast Guard wounded three of its soldiers during a water cannon attack in the disputed South China Sea, Manila on Monday summoned Beijing's envoy to lodge its strong protest, Al Jazeera reported. The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, in a statement said that Manila conveyed its "strong protest against the aggressiv.....»»
Australia, Britain Criticize China for Actions in Hong Kong
SYDNEY - Australia and Britain on Friday criticized China for its actions in Hong Kong and the South China Sea and its support of Russia, after a meeting in which London and Canberra deepened their security ties.The two countries called out 'recent unsafe and destabilizing behavior by China's vessels against Philippine vessels and crew near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea,' in a statement that contain.....»»
TURNING POINT: Putting an End to Repetitive Protest
NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 12 December) – Once again, the Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against China over its aggressions on the West Philippine Sea over the weekend, said a spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday. A Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel water-cannoned a Philippine resupply boat to stop from […].....»»
‘Send Chinese ambassador back to China’
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday urged President Marcos to send Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian back home following China’s latest aggressions against the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea......»»
Teodoro: China’s Ayungin Shoal actions ‘dangerous, irresponsible’
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. slammed the recent actions of China against the Philippine vessels conducting a rotation and resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea as an "irresponsible and egregious violation of maritime safety". “The Philippine Coast Guard vessels were once again dangerously harassed. This is to me irresponsible behavior on the part of the Chinese Coast Guard and I think that the world knows who is in the right here so it does need much more saying or talking about,” Teodoro said in a media interview in Philippine Navy headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. “The world has reacted before to the water cannoning,” he added, Though China did not use water canon this time, Teodoro lamented that it did perform “more dangerous maneuvers” against the Philippine vessels. “I think what has to be underscored here is that wala ngang water cannoning pero mas delikado ang mga maniobrang ginawa nila sa mga kasama nating PCG (I think what has to be underscored here is that while there was no water cannoning, the CCG vessels conducted more dangerous maneuvers against our PCG),” Despite China’s increasing aggressions, Teodoro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the PCG will continue to hold its RoRe mission to the Ayungin Shoal. Teodoro sees the need to look closely at the upgrading of the PCG and the Philippine Navy to be able to effectively attend to maritime security threats and protect the welfare of Filipino fisherfolk. “They need to have capabilities for protecting Filipino vessels, maritime safety and security — what the Chinese Coast Guard doing is an egregious violation of maritime safety,” the defense chief said. Teodoro maintained that the Philippines is strictly following the rules-based international order. “Tayo dire-deretso lang nag-iiskort ng ating RoRe vessels e sila nanggigitgit ng ganun. So sino ang iresponsable dito? Sa akin obvious na po ang kasagutan (We are only escorting our RoRe vessels while they are harassing us like that. So who is being irresponsible here? For me, the answer is already obvious),” he said. The post Teodoro: China’s Ayungin Shoal actions ‘dangerous, irresponsible’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP chief: Phl to maintain ‘maximum tolerance’ amid China aggression in WPS
The Philippines will continue exerting “maximum tolerance” should China again showcase aggression in the future rotation and resupply mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard to Ayungin Shoal, military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Monday. In a phone interview, Brawner said the AFP and PCG will try to prevent a repeat of the water cannon incident last 5 August and will avoid China’s blocking attempts against the RoRe mission by the Philippine vessels en route to BRP Sierra Madre. “We will still practice maximum tolerance, we will try to avoid but we will go on with our mission. For example, we will have another resupply mission, and we will still continue to avoid them. We will not respond also with water cannoning,” the AFP chief stressed. Brawner noted that Philippine ships also have water cannon systems but they will be utilized according to their legal purpose. “Our vessels also have water cannons, but we will not do that… We will not also do the same coercive and dangerous tactics as that of China,” he lamented. In an interview on Sunday, U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet commander, Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, said China’s “aggressive behavior” in the South China Sea to be “challenged and checked.” Thomas made this call after China’s coast guard used a water cannon against a Philippine vessel in the region. Asked what his reaction on Thomas’ suggestion, Brawner said: “Correct. We agree, but the question is, how will we do it? So what we are doing is that, we are leveraging our alliances and our partnerships with like-minded countries.” Brawner maintained the Philippines will continue to follow and adhere to the rules-based international order. “In other words, we will follow the international laws, hindi tayo makikipaggyera sa kanila (we will not enter a war with them), instead we will practice maximum tolerance,” he said. Following China’s recent aggressions in the Ayungin Shoal, Brawner said the military has already strengthened its presence in the West Philippine Sea “because it is part of the country’s exclusive economic zone.” “We have increased the frequency of maritime patrols and the number of platforms doing these,” he added. The post AFP chief: Phl to maintain ‘maximum tolerance’ amid China aggression in WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lawmakers want bigger budget for PCG, defense sector
Senators urged the country’s economic team to allocate more funding to the defense sector and the Philippine Coast Guard amid the increasing aggression of China in parts of the West Philippine Sea. Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday backed the proposal to increase the intelligence fund of the Philippine Coast Guard to strengthen its operations in the WPS. Hontiveros lamented that the PCG is threatened by China almost daily. But, despite facing “a clear and present danger” brought about by China’s increasing hostilities, the PCG is still operating with limited funding. “We have to hold more consultations with the Philippine Coast Guard to determine a respectable amount that could help them significantly deter China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea,” she said. Hontiveros said that the PCG has only been receiving "a measly" P10 million in intelligence funds annually since 2009, forcing it to rely solely on human intelligence to get up-to-date information when conducting maritime patrols. It is “unacceptable that PCG is receiving intelligence funds far less than those being received by civilian agencies with no direct relation to national security and protection of Philippine territory,” said Hontiveros. "I also must stress that the P10 million for intelligence funds is not only for the PCG's duties over the West Philippine Sea, but for the entire coastal areas and waters of the Philippines. Sa napakaraming banta na nararanasan ng Coast Guard, hindi ba dapat na mas malaki naman sa sampung milyon ang maibigay sa kanila?" she said. Earlier this month, the Senate collectively denounced China’s continued harassment activities against Filipino troops aboard Philippine vessels en route to the WPS, in particular, the recent water cannon incident involving Chinese Coast Guard and Philippine vessels carrying food and other supplies for soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. China’s repeated aggressions toward the Philippines within its exclusive economic zone prompted senators to urge the country’s economic managers to also consider increasing the budget of the defense sector. The issue was raised during the Committee on Finance briefing with the Development Budget Coordination Committee on the Proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program last week. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he pitied the defense sector after the economic team presented their budget allocation per sector. Under the proposed 2024 national budget, Dela Rosa noted the 37.9 percent allocation for social services, 29.6 percent for economic services, 12.1 percent for debt burden and 15.5 percent for general public services. The defense sector had the lowest funding allocation at only 4.9 percent, he said. “Awang-awa na tayo sa ating mga puwersa doon. Forgive me, my heart goes to the MUP (military and uniformed personnel) because I’ve been there, done that and saw my people dying before my eyes during encounters with the enemy. Kaya kung itong pambabastos ng China na simpleng tubig lang wala tayong panglaban, kawawa naman talaga iyong ating Coast Guard, kawawa iyong ating Navy,” Dela Rosa lamented. The post Lawmakers want bigger budget for PCG, defense sector appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wise up, China and Russia
Dear Editor “The map is not the territory.” — Alfred Korzybski China and Russia can have and keep their respective maps with all their might. In the case of China, it is its map of the entire South China Sea, but not the sea itself because no Philippine territory (West Philippine Sea to be specific) is owned by any foreign country. In China’s nine-dash line map, Chinese officials are free to commit all the aggressions and bullying they want to do and no nation will protest, not even the Philippines. They can build as many illegal structures there as they want and our government will not file for sure a single note verbale because Filipinos respect China’s dignity. Furthermore, there is no need for the Philippine government (in such an instance) to assert the ruling of the Arbitral Court that found there is no more need for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prepare for the defense of our maritime territory against China. And what about the Philippines continually expecting the promised support/backing of big, developed nations like the United States, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, the entire European Union and many other thinking nations for any eventuality — in defense of what belongs to Filipinos in the disputed sea? By the way, China’s nine-dash line is stranger than fiction, according to world experts. Are you willing/ready and capable to going to war with the world, dear China? German Chancellor/dictator Adolf Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, which triggered World War 2, yet Hitler was the one who ended up invaded by hell as he ultimately committed suicide in 1945, out of frustration and desperation, or guilt. Aside from many other lesser crimes against humanity that evil Hitler committed, he massacred over six million Jews at the altar of his selfish and narcissistic ambition. Unforgivable. Pray that Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin would take a cue from Hitler’s colossal blunder — vis-a-vis the West Philippine Sea, Ukraine and Taiwan. I read somewhere two years ago that a Western superpower has advanced scientifically and technologically in ways unprecedented and unparalleled in the matter of military might. I was led to ask: What nation could be more powerful than this nation which has the knack/capability, an unseen weaponry or “mechanism” in space to detect and redirect at the same time any kind of nuclear bomb launched against it — back to its point of origin? Watch out and wise up, China, Russia (and North Korea)! Learn from world history before it’s too late. Wouldn’t you behave and allow sanity, civility, reason and peace to prevail? What seems to be so difficult about the act when it won’t even cost you a dime or a single, precious human life to do it? Remember, good always triumphs over bad. Reni M. Valenzuela renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com The post Wise up, China and Russia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senators back protest vs China before UNGA
Most senators will support Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros’ resolution urging the Marcos administration to call out China’s aggressions in the West Philippine Sea before the United Nations General Assembly......»»
Solving China, Russia
Dear Editor Seeing the problem for what it truly is means half solving it. Both Russia and China have stubborn false views/beliefs and false historical narratives, coupled with avarice, in coveting what is not theirs. That’s the bottom line. Both nations need to see this. And that is the solution to the crises they have created, the peaceful way. Russia has harbored resentment against independent Ukraine since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and hallucinates that Ukraine is still part of “Mother Russia,” as opposed to the historic Act signed by Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Ukraine’s first president Leonid Kravchuk on 8 December 1991, recognizing Ukraine as an independent country. It was overwhelmingly approved by the people (90 percent) of Ukraine in a referendum even before the formal accord declaring their independence. China, for its part, in claiming almost all (90 percent) of the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea has only its own fabled “nine-dash line” to back up and defend its robbery or its continuing illegal occupation of the disputed sea. Studies and research by international experts and history professors disprove the “line.” Can we imagine if all nations created their own story and map artwork of the “nine-dash line” to invade neighboring territories? The situation in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and China is no different from the ongoing senseless, savage Russia-Ukraine war which Russia started and continues to inflame. It is a war better called the “Russia War.” May sanity prevail and humanity in humans triumph. Stop the bloodshed. China’s bullying is not limited to its bullying of our fishermen. It is depictive of its impudence and defiance of international law, more so its disrespect and contempt for our ethos and dignity as a people and nation. Imperious. BBM would do well to take every “goodwill” gesture of China to the Philippines with a grain of salt, if not view it as an act of ill will. Any help, aid, or “trade cooperation” China has offered and may offer in the future is and would be meaningless, and could be construed as fraught with bad intentions — unless they repent. China used to be a good friend to the Philippines, but not anymore. Dear officials of the land, beware of the present Chinese officials playing (subtle) the “forbidden fruit” game. Don’t bite the bug or the bait. Succumb not. What they are doing in the West Philippine Sea is unprecedented and indefensible. Open your eyes. Be very careful in dealing with them until they behave and cease their aggressions and juvenile sweeping claims to the contested body of water. Go ahead, dear senators, with your proposal to bring the WPS row to the United Nations for another just, intelligent decision/resolution of the brewing time bomb (for the world) on account of the incessant robber of foreign territories. It is a wise move. There are only two “ifs” — two crucial “ifs” — for China and the world to ponder upon. One is, if China won’t still budge and recognize another international ruling, this time by the United Nations no less, then all nations, not only the Philippines, should brace themselves for the undesirable. The other “if” is: If the Chinese leaders can’t and will not really accept the 2016 ruling of the arbitral tribunal rejecting its “nine-dash line” myth, before the action/decision of the United Nations, the only remaining wise thing left for them to do is to accept reason and justness. By doing so, they may engage our country and the rest of the claimant countries involved in the WPS row in a dialogue (serious, transparent, and sincere) to reach a compromise “win-win solution” for all — for the sake of peace and the saving of lives, and the preservation of our planet. Play fair and humane. That is even wiser. “God will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness.” — Psalm 9:8 (NLT) The post Solving China, Russia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Subservient no more
While the United States and China face off in the West Philippine Sea, the balanced diplomatic policy of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. enables him to keep the lines open to both superpowers. The Philippines has a “traditional” alliance with the United States imbued, as a former colony, with a cultural affinity that had resulted in deep relations. Both countries share experiences in history, primarily in World War 2 where the commitments of both countries to defend each other emanated. Former President Rodrigo Duterte tried to deviate from the norm and sought closer relations with China while asserting that the Philippines should not be subservient to the Americans, which was a track that showed success but Beijing fell short of its commitments. A more pragmatic tack was taken by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. which is gaining recognition as the right approach with China and the United States. The country has resumed its normal relations with the US while BBM works for deeper economic and diplomatic relations with the mainland. The direction President Marcos has taken is meant to prove to the two superpowers that it is in the best interest of the Philippines that its relations remain strong and balanced with all countries. The US helps with military modernization, while both countries maintain assistance with various development projects, mainly infrastructure. The country’s role in the volatile West Philippine Sea issue is then relegated to the background. The Philippines has the international community behind it as a result of the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling which, even as it avoided settling the territorial claim, favored the Philippines in terms of the exercise of maritime rights. The 2016 arbitral award significantly invalidated the nine-dash line claim of China on the West Philippine Sea. Enforcing the ruling is difficult since China did not recognize the proceeding but the importance of the decision has emerged in terms of being a reference of countries in addressing the incursions in the West Philippine Sea. Elbridge Colby, former Pentagon Deputy Assistant Secretary and co-founder of the think tank Marathon Initiative, said in a recent forum that the Philippines is “on the right track in building up its defense capabilities.” Building such capabilities will “blunt” potential aggressions in the region, he added. Colby, who engineered the United States 2018 National Defense Strategy, said, “The Chinese are not going to take your diplomacy seriously if you’re operating from a position of weakness; they take it seriously if it’s backed by force that they don’t think they can mess around.” The twin moves of President Marcos to strengthen defense capabilities through the long-held pacts with the US while modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines have become a cornerstone of the defense strategy in deterring maritime aggression. Colby underlined the importance of effective deterrence which is meant to avoid the escalation of conflict in the region. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro is firm in asserting the position of the country to be independent of the superpowers as it tracks its course amid the heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. President Marcos added that he will not allow provocative actions by any country nor allow the Philippines to become a staging post for any kind of military action. The position of strength comes from the ability of the nation to express what it wants within its international rights that other countries should learn to respect. The post Subservient no more appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Commitment to the Rule of Law
Back in 2012, during the 45th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Cambodia and before the rendition of the Arbitral Award in favor of the Philippines, we were a lone voice trying to convince our neighbors to stand up to Chinese aggressions in the South China Sea, given that most diplomatic circles were opting for a policy of appeasement towards a powerful and rising China......»»
Palace: Let Duterte pursue ‘calibrated, calculated’ foreign policy on West Philippine Sea
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Sunday told critics, particularly retired Senior Justice Antonio Carpio and former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario, to let President Rodrigo Duterte pursue his “careful, calibrated, and calculated” foreign policy amid the latest China’s aggressions in the West Philippine Sea. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was responding to the rebukes of […] The post Palace: Let Duterte pursue ‘calibrated, calculated’ foreign policy on West Philippine Sea appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Winds destroy houses in two Central Mindanao towns
Around 40 houses were destroyed by strong winds that pummeled lowlands in the adjoining towns of Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur and Kabacan, Cotabato amid heavy rains on Thursday afternoon......»»
Filipina rescued from mail-order bride syndicate
The Bureau of Immigration rescued a suspected victim of a mail-order bride syndicate, targeting Filipinas sent to China under false pretenses......»»
US reaffirms support for Philippines sovereignty amid its tensions with China
Washington, DC [US], March 28 (ANI): US Secretary of Defence Llyod Austin has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Manila in defending its sovereignty while criticising China's "dangerous" water cannon attack at the Philippine supply mission vessel on Saturday. In a telephonic conversation between Austin and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, the US Secretary reiterated the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty.....»»
Philippines announces decisive measures amid tensions with China
Manila [Philippines], March 28 (ANI): Amid the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr has announced decisive measures to protect his country's sovereignty and maritime rights while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Marcos, known as Bongbong, said that the measures, aimed at addressing what he said is the "open, unabating, and illegal" actions by China's Coast.....»»