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Duterte swamped by issues on China
Duterte swamped by issues on China The plate of President Duterte is overflowing with Chinese chop suey whose smell indicates that it may start to spoil if left untouched any longer......»»
Chop-chop body sa Jamboree nadiskubre
LAGUNA – Nahaharap ngayon sa malaking palaisipan ang Los Banos Police kaugnay ng natagpuang pira-pirasong katawan at ulo ng isang hindi kilalang lalaki sa Jamboree Site sa Barangay Batong Malake sa nasabing bayan. Inilarawan ng pulisya ang biktima na may tattoo sa likod na Chinese character. Natagpuan ang chop-chop body, bandang 8:46 kaninang umaga nina […] The post Chop-chop body sa Jamboree nadiskubre appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicopter
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicoper
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
2024 NFL Combine Risers and Fallers: Payton Wilson, Chop Robinson Shine as Defensive Standouts
NC State linebacker Payton Wilson stole the show at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine with his impressive speed and athleticism, turning heads and boosting his.....»»
DOJ to help build case vs West Philippine Sea cyanide fishing
The Department of Justice will support relevant agencies in gathering evidence and building a case against individuals, allegedly Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen, who are using cyanide at Panatag Shoal, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said yesterday......»»
‘Chop-chop’ ring in Metro old hoax – PNP
The Philippine National Police yesterday belied posts circulating on social media regarding the existence of an alleged “chop-chop”group operated by PNP officers and targeting motorists in the National Capital Region......»»
Quick takes from around the market
Axelum stake sale agreement with Metro Pacific Investments has now been amended to chop the full stake price of P5.32 billion into installment payments, and to condition those installment payments on “achievement of certain EBITDA milestones up to the original purchase price under the original share purchase agreement.”.....»»
Bautista co-accused arraigned in new graft case
Former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista’s co-accused in a new graft case pleaded not guilty during their arraignment before the Sandiganbayan yesterday......»»
Cliffhanger
One of the challenges of operating a convenience store is theft by shoplifters. In the United States alone, the losses of small city retail stores were estimated at over $94 billion in 2021, Bloomberg reported. Washington State recorded the highest retail store losses from theft in the country, according to the National Retail Federation. Local stores have installed security cameras, motion sensors, and inventory control systems to help prevent shoplifting, an NRF survey showed. It remains to be seen if such high-tech security measures work, but location and size are definitely effective in discouraging shoplifters for one remote convenience store in China. The tiny wooden store at the Shiniuzhai Scenic Area in the Chinese province of Hunan is only two square meters. Opened in 2018, the store recently trended online after a popular military blogger with 889,400 followers posted on the popular Chinese social network Weibo a photo with the caption: “The most inconvenient convenience store,” CNN reported. Few customers are served by the store but not because of its limited offerings. It just so happens to be located along a route less traveled called via ferrata. The pathway for climbers consists of steel bars driven into the mountainside to serve as steps and metal anchors for fastening climbing ropes. In any case, the store is convenient for adventurers summiting the mountain, as they can get a water refill or buy a beverage for hydration while perched on the side of a vertical cliff. At the same time, the store looks inconvenient for its sole attendant as it hangs halfway to the top of the cliff, 120 meters from the ground, with its floor supported only by steel brackets bolted to the cliffside. Moreover, restocking requires the storekeeper to pull up supplies from the ground with a rope, according to Oddity Central. To others, inconvenient is an understatement for the store hanging from a cliff. Scary should be a more accurate description......»»
Biden meets Chinese FM, urges cooperation on ‘global challenges’
US President Joe Biden met China's foreign minister for talks on Friday as the two countries seek to smooth ties ahead of a possible visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Biden told top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi that Washington and Beijing must "manage competition in the relationship responsibly and maintain open lines of communication," the White House said. With the Israel-Hamas conflict raging in the Middle East, Biden also "underscored that the United States and China must work together to address global challenges," it added in a statement. Biden has invited Xi to San Francisco next month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, but he has also stood firm on China in the run-up, keeping up a stream of sanctions and backing US allies in disputes with Beijing. Wang Yi has been on a two-day visit to Washington during which he also met US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The Chinese foreign minister had been expected to meet Biden too after Blinken met Chinese president Xi in Beijing in June, but it had not previously been confirmed. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby had said on Thursday that this week's talks were a "milestone in that effort to keep the lines of communication open with the PRC (People's Republic of China)." Sullivan was going to raise "areas of concern" including China's behavior in the South China Sea, where it has been forcefully asserting its maritime boundaries. Stabilize Wang said after meeting Blinken on Thursday that he wanted to "stabilize US-China relations" and "reduce misunderstanding" after years of tensions. Acknowledging that differences will still come up, Wang said China would respond "calmly, because we are of the view that what is right and what is wrong is not determined by who has the stronger arm or the louder voice." Biden and Xi have had no contact since a meeting in Bali in November 2022. Relations have been tense for years between world's top two economies as they vie for influence in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, and as Beijing boosts cooperation with Russia in a bid to reduce US dominance. Tensions have been particularly high over Taiwan, the self-ruling democracy claimed by Beijing that over the past year has launched major military exercises in response to actions by US lawmakers. The United States and China have also traded barbs over the conflict in the Middle East, where Biden has been Israel's foremost ally. US officials have repeatedly spoken of creating "guardrails" with China to prevent worst-case scenarios and have sought, without success, to restore contact between the two militaries. Biden on Wednesday warned China of US treaty obligations to the Philippines, which said that Chinese vessels deliberately hit Manila's boats in dispute-rife waters -- an account contested by Beijing. Speaking alongside Australia's prime minister, a key Asia-Pacific ally, Biden vowed to compete with China "every way according to the international rules -- economically, politically, in other ways. But I'm not looking for conflict." The post Biden meets Chinese FM, urges cooperation on ‘global challenges’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Save BRP Sierra Madre
Geopolitical tensions rise by the week at the West Philippine Sea with the consistent occurrence of untoward incidents deliberately committed towards our citizens. This week, Chinese sea vessels collided with Philippine boats on their way to resupply the troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre. This type of news breaks out so often that we feel it is a regular thing. What we might be missing is that this might blow up to gargantuan proportions, which we may fail to control. We must save the BRP Sierra Madre at all costs. This relic of a military jewel has gained enormous significance in our territorial claim over the disputed islands, specifically the Spratlys. It is symbolic of our culture and socially specific mannerisms. The ship was built for the US Navy, passed to Vietnam, and went to the Philippines. At the peak of the territorial tensions before the victorious UNCLOS ruling, the Philippines ran the ship aground on Ayungin Shoal, located in the Spratly Islands, to stake our claim. Reminiscent of the Filipino jeepney — an artifact and mode of transportation that we inherited from the Americans that still plies our roads nationwide — the BRP Sierra Madre is here to stay. Just like the jeepney drivers who refuse to give up their affordable and practical way of transporting passengers to make a living, the Philippine Navy refuses to give up the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, leaving several troops there to guard it, to stake the Philippines’ sovereign claim over the West Philippine Sea. It may be unfortunate that this is the best that we can do. This is saddening, especially since the Chinese emphasize their claim by building artificial islands and military outposts and bullying our people by exhibiting their high-powered sea vessels. But the Filipinos are resilient and will come into a fight, bringing whatever they can pick up, which, in this case, is a dilapidated and retired navy ship. The National Security Council categorically stated that we will not be deterred by the collisions caused by the Chinese Coast Guard. The Department of Foreign Affairs filed another diplomatic protest, but the Chinese envoy did not show up at their offices. Instead, we received news that the Chinese government is no longer interested in funding several projects in the Philippines. The first project that bit the dust was the Mindanao Railway, a much-heralded transportation system that would have linked key cities in Mindanao. If we recall, the Chinese also backed out of the Makati Subway System, even after right-of-way acquisitions had been made. In diplomatic relations, the key skill is making everyone happy, which is highly improbable. The President’s evident closeness to the US is manifested by the routine war games conducted by American and Filipino soldiers. The expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement to other military bases early in the Marcos administration showed the preference of our President. The question here is if there will be a US payback to the Philippines for the renewed and strengthened relations by the administration, considering that there are still five years until the next presidential election. What we must worry about is the possibility of war erupting in the West Philippine Sea, where we would surely be the victims if we fail to associate ourselves with strong countries. And we hope China is not taking note of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Destructive wars should be avoided, and it would be advisable for our President to exercise due diligence in dealing with the USA and China. For comments, email him at darren.dejesus@gmail.com. The post Save BRP Sierra Madre appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NSC bares options vs increasing China’s aggressive actions in WPS
The Philippines has a lot of options to respond to the increasingly aggressive actions of China in the West Philippine Sea, which include the filing of a case in the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea or ITLOS in response to the latest collisions of Manila and Beijing vessels in the Ayungin Shoal. This was bared in a radio interview by National Security Council spokesperson, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, on Tuesday. Malaya said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Philippine Coast Guard to complete the maritime investigation on the separate collisions concerning China Coast Guard vessels and Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted boat for the rotation and re-provisioning or RoRe mission in the area. “Kasi may mga patudsada rin ang China sa atin at kailangan sagutin natin ‘yan with proofs and evidences and then magmi-meeting po ‘yung security cluster para mapag-usapan yung resolute response sa maging action ng China sa pinakahuling RoRe mission,” he told the SuperRadyo DzBB. Malaya, also the spokesperson of the National Task Force on the West Philippines Sea, noted that the government and security sector are exploring all options to respond to China’s aggression towards WPS. But, he did not divulge the country’s step-by-step actions. “I’m not at liberty to discuss that now because we cannot telegraph our moves to China. China doesn’t expose their plans either, so we can’t let them know what we intend to do,” he said. Malaya said the results of the maritime investigation will be presented to Marcos and will be followed by discussions of the administration’s concerned cabinet members on the possible response to the matter. “There a lot of options that are [placed] in the table right now, we can file a case in the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea or ITLOS,” he stressed. Malaya emphasized that the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Coast Guard “made it clear” that China had violated maritime rules and collision regulations during the Ayungin incident. “We have a lot of recourse that we can do because of this unprecedented event that happened, but it would be up to the President and the concerned Cabinet members what will be our next move,” he added. “There’s no decision on that so far. It will be decided by the Cabinet cluster and by the President himself. Let’s just wait for their responses. So we'll have to wait and see what the Cabinet says.” Malaya emphasized the entire government and the security cluster are “taking this issue very seriously,” thus, the President called for a conference meeting to discuss the matter thoroughly. “Clearly, the Chinese side did their actions with clear intent to prevent and block our ship which led to the collision so we are gathering all the evidence to voice our position about what happened on Sunday,” he said. Malaya said the government “must take the long view and be very patient” like how China effectively calculated its long-term responses to its territorial claims. Meanwhile, the NSC official underscored that the results of the maritime investigation will be presented to Marcos and will be followed by discussions of the administration’s concerned cabinet members on the possible response to the matter. “There a lot of options that are [placed] in the table right now, we can file a case in the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea or ITLOS,” he stressed. Malaya emphasized that the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Coast Guard “made it clear” that China had violated maritime rules and collision regulations during the Ayungin incident. “We have a lot of recourse that we can do because of this unprecedented event that happened, but it would be up to the President and the concerned Cabinet members what will be our next move,” he added. “There’s no decision on that so far. It will be decided by the Cabinet cluster and by the President himself. Let’s just wait for their responses. So we'll have to wait and see what the Cabinet says.” Malaya emphasized the entire government and the security cluster are “taking this issue very seriously,” thus, the President called for a conference meeting to discuss the matter thoroughly. “Clearly, the Chinese side did their actions with clear intent to prevent and block our ship which led to the collision so we are gathering all the evidence to voice our position about what happened on Sunday,” he said. Malaya said the government “must take the long view and be very patient” like how China effectively calculated its long-term responses to its territorial claims. The post NSC bares options vs increasing China’s aggressive actions in WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Attack on Phl would elicit U.S. response — State Dep’t
The United States warned on Monday that any armed attack on Philippine armed forces and Philippine Coast Guard civilian vessels could trigger its 72-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines. “The United States reaffirms that Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft — including those of its Coast Guard — anywhere in the South China Sea,” the US Department of State said in a statement. The statement came a day after a China Coast Guard ship collided with a Philippine resupply vessel that was conducting a routine resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal. During the same resupply mission, a Chinese maritime militia vessel also bumped the BRP Cabra, one of the PCG ships that were escorting the boat contracted by the AFP. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said the collisions, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered investigated by the PCG, were “intentional.” For its part, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said further study is needed to invoke the MDT due to the incident. “The matter of filing another case is something that is still being studied by the government. But, of course, all incidents like these will actually bolster the case that it is not the Philippines that is the aggressor but the other party, which is China,” DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said. “It’s a provocation on the side of China but at this point, whether it will constitute an armed attack that would allow the invoking of the MDT is something that needs to be studied,” she added. The Philippines and the US agreed under the MDT, signed in 1951, that an armed attack on either of the parties would be considered an attack on the other, necessitating common or joint actions. Ambassador summoned The Philippines on Monday summoned China’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, to explain the “blocking maneuvers” conducted by its vessels. China has insisted on its territorial rights over the Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, which is in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Swarms of CCG ships and Chinese maritime militia vessels had been monitored in the WPS, which Philippine officials said was a blatant disrespect of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. In July 2016, the Philippines won the arbitral case it lodged against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The US said it stands with the Philippines in the face of China’s “dangerous and unlawful actions obstructing” a 22 October resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. “By conducting dangerous maneuvers that caused collisions with Philippine resupply and Coast Guard ships, the PRC Coast Guard and maritime militia violated international law by intentionally interfering with the Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation,” the US State Department said. “The PRC’s (People’s Republic of China) conduct jeopardized the Filipino crew members’ safety and impeded critically needed supplies from reaching service members stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre. Obstructing supply lines to this longstanding outpost and interfering with lawful Philippine maritime operations undermines regional stability,” it added. Citing the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea, the US noted that China’s territorial claims to Ayungin Shoal, a low-tide elevation outside the territorial sea of another high tide feature, were unfounded. Unsafe moves “The unsafe maneuvers on 22 October and the PRC water cannoning of a Philippine vessel on 5 August are the latest examples of provocative PRC measures in the South China Sea to enforce its expansive and unlawful maritime claims, reflecting disregard for other states lawfully operating in the region,” the State Department stressed. Aside from the US, Japan, France, Canada, Australia and Germany also condemned China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea. In a separate statement, Canada condemned what it described as “unlawful and dangerous conduct” of the People’s Republic of China in the WPS, which “provoked two collisions with Philippine vessels engaged in routine operations inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone, in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.” “The PRC’s actions are unjustified. China has no lawful claim to the West Philippine Sea. Its actions are incompatible with the obligations of a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the Canadian Embassy in Manila said. “Continuing acts of intimidation and coercion undermine safety, stability, and security across the region, and increase the risk of miscalculation,” it added. France, Japan, Germany, too France expressed its “deep concern” over the dangerous maneuvers of the CCG against Philippine vessels “engaged in the Philippine exclusive economic zone.” “France calls for respect of the freedom of navigation guaranteed by international law and recalls its attachment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the decision rendered by the Arbitral Court on 12 July 2016,” the Embassy of France to the Philippines said. Japan, likewise, stressed that it was “seriously concerned” and “alarmed” about the collision of Chinese vessels with Philippine vessels. “Seriously concerned about and alarmed by the collision between Chinese and Philippines vessels,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said in a tweet. Koshikawa said Japan “strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.” “Germany is very concerned about recent confrontations in the SCS involving Chinese coast guard ships and maritime militia vessels in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines,” German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Pfaffernoschke said in a separate tweet. The post Attack on Phl would elicit U.S. response — State Dep’t appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More senators condemn China’s ‘bullying’ in WPS
More senators on Monday condemned China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea which resulted in a collision with Philippine vessels en route to a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal. For Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, China “has gone too far in disrespecting the Philippines” when it performed “dangerous blocking maneuvers” that resulted in a collision with the Unaiza May 2, an indigenous boat contracted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre. “I strongly condemn the recent aggression of the Chinese Coast Guard against our Philippine Coast Guard,” Ejercito said in a statement. “The reckless maneuvers executed by the CCG, which resulted in a collision with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted resupply vessel, were not only provocative but also a blatant act of bullying that must be denounced, not only by us but by the international community,” he added. Ejercito said the act of harassment of China within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone “obviously violates our sovereignty and territorial integrity.” “We must strongly assert the 2016 arbitral ruling, which clearly affirms that the Philippines has the exclusive rights over the West Philippine Sea,” he said. “This ruling is not only legally binding but a reflection of the principles of international law,” he added. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. However, on 12 July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration favored the Philippines’ arbitral case against China. Seven years after the Tribunal favored the Philippines’ arbitral case against China, the ruling remains on paper as China continues to disregard it by keeping its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea. Ejercito said it is “essential to note that this is not the first time the CCG has engaged in such provocative actions against our coastal guards and fisherfolks.” “Moreover, it is the government's duty to ensure the safety of our waters for all Filipinos. We cannot and will not allow such incidents to jeopardize the safety of our people, particularly those who serve in our armed forces and the PCG,” he said. “At the same time, I personally believe that it is high time to expedite the modernization of our Armed Forces in the coming years to protect our sovereignty, safeguard our maritime interests, and ensure the safety and security of our people,” he added. ‘Potential flashpoint’ Senator Grace Poe, likewise, expressed concern over the “dangerous blocking maneuver” carried out by CCG against Philippine vessels. “China's latest act of aggression poses a credible concern that could heighten the tension not only between Philippines and China, but could also be a potential flashpoint in the region,” Poe said in a separate statement. “While an immediate diplomatic protest is anticipated, the recent incident calls for a serious rethinking of our strategies in dealing with these acts,” she added. She continued: “As we firmly assert our rights in our waters, fortifying our relations with like-minded states must continue to thwart similar belligerent actions.” On Sunday, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senators Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Tolentino expressed their anger over the collision that put the safety of the Filipino crew at risk. “I am one with peace-loving Filipinos in strongly condemning this latest abhorrent actions of the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia that put in danger the lives of our brave countrymen who were on a routine resupply mission to our troops in Ayungin Shoal,” Zubiri said. “Let me salute our personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for displaying courage and restraint in continuing their resupply missions despite the hostile and treacherous acts of China Coast Guard and their maritime militia,” he added. Hontiveros echoed Zubiri’s call on China to “stop” its activities in the West Philippine Sea which she said clearly violates international law. “This latest collision is squarely the China Coast Guard’s fault,” she said in a separate statement. “The 2016 Arbitral Award has resolutely invalidated China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea, making this incident a clear violation of international law,” she added. For his part, Tolentino said the recent confrontation between the Philippines and China clearly shows China’s continuous disregard for international law. He noted that the incident should be investigated by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the Code for Investigation ng Marine Casualties and Incidents of the International Maritime Organization. The post More senators condemn China’s ‘bullying’ in WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
U.S., Canada lambast PRC
The United States on Sunday denounced China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea that led to the collision of its ships with Philippine boats en route to a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal. In a tweet, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson described China Coast Guard’s actions as a “disruption” of a “legal” resupply mission of the Philippines to the BRP Sierra Madre, its permanent military post in the West Philippine Sea. She tweeted on X that the US “condemns” China’s “latest disruption of a legal Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, putting the lives of Filipino service members at risk. One of two boats contracted by the Philippines to bring supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre was bumped by a China Coast Guard Ship before a Chinese militia vessel did the same to a Philippine Coast Guard escort ship. Carlson said Washington “stands” with Manila in “protecting Philippine sovereignty and in support of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.” Over the past months, the US had reiterated its “ironclad” alliance commitment to the Philippines amid the escalating tension in the WPS, a portion of the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines and China. In August, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III stressed that the Mutual Defense Treaty between Washington and Manila extends to the latter’s public vessels. Unlawful conduct Canada also condemned what it described as “unlawful and dangerous conduct” of the People’s Republic of China in the WPS, which “provoked two collisions with Philippine vessels engaged in routine operations inside the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.” “The PRC’s actions are unjustified. China has no lawful claim to the West Philippine Sea. Its actions are incompatible with the obligations of a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the Canadian Embassy in Manila said. “Continuing acts of intimidation and coercion undermine safety, stability, and security across the region and increase the risk of miscalculation,” it added. Canada said it welcomed the news that no injuries resulted from the collisions and commended the “professionalism and restraint exercised” by the Philippine Coast Guard. “Canada affirms its support for a rules-based order in the South China Sea consistent with international law, including UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral decision, which is final and binding on the parties,” it said. Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration — a landmark decision that China continues to reject. Germany also expressed concern over the incident in the WPS. Senators enraged “Germany is very concerned about recent confrontations in the SCS involving Chinese coast guard ships and maritime militia vessels in the Exclusive economic zone of the Philippines,” German Ambassador to the Philippines Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke said in a separate tweet. Pfaffernoschke called on “all parties to act in accordance with UNCLOS-rules and to respect the 2016 arbitral award. Senators also condemned China’s actions. In separate statements, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Tolentino expressed anger over the collisions that put the safety of the Filipino crew at risk. “I am one with peace-loving Filipinos in strongly condemning this latest abhorrent actions of the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia that put in danger the lives of our brave countrymen who were on a routine resupply mission to our troops in Ayungin Shoal,” Zubiri said. Zubiri called on CCG to “respect human lives and abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international laws governing safe maritime travel.” “This latest collision is squarely the China Coast Guard’s fault,” Hontiveros said. “The 2016 Arbitral Award has resolutely invalidated China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea, making this incident a clear violation of international law.” For his part, Tolentino said the recent confrontation between the Philippines and China clearly shows China’s continuous disregard for international law. He noted that the incident should be investigated by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the Code for Investigation ng Marine Casualties and Incidents of the International Maritime Organization. The post U.S., Canada lambast PRC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China bullies Phl resupply vessels
The Philippines and China on Sunday blamed each other for the collisions of their ships in the West Philippine Sea, a portion of the South China Sea which the two countries both claim. The two countries separately issued strongly worded statements after the collision of their vessels near the Ayungin Shoal, which the latter refers to as Ren’ai Reef. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea accused the CCG of performing “dangerous blocking maneuvers” that resulted in a collision with the Unaiza on May 2. The Unaiza May 1 and 2 are boats contracted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre. Unaiza 1 was able to complete its mission. The NTF-WPS condemned the “provocative, irresponsible, and illegal action” of the China Coast Guard ship, which “imperiled the safety” of the Unaiza May 2 crew. The United States and Canada condemned China’s action, while Germany expressed concern over the latest development in the WPS. (See related story) ‘Trespassing’ In the same resupply mission, a Chinese maritime militia vessel “bumped” the Philippine Coast Guard BRP Cabra’s port side, which was escorting the resupply vessels while it was lying approximately 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal. The NTF-WPS said it “condemns in the strongest degree the latest dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions of the CCG and the Chinese maritime militia done this morning.” It stated that the Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction were “violated” by the conduct of the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels. The Philippines also described the incident as an “utter blatant disregard of the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and relevant international maritime conventions, and the 2016 Arbitral Award.” For its part, China blamed the Philippines, stressing that its vessels “trespassed” into the adjacent waters of Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Islands without permission. “Since the Philippine side ignored China’s repeated warnings, the China Coast Guard responded lawfully and blocked the Philippine vessels which were illegally carrying construction materials,” the CCG said in a statement shared by the Chinese Embassy in Manila to Filipino journalists. The CCG also said that the Unaiza Mae 2 “sailed at the bow of China Coast Guard 5203 (which it said was conducting law enforcement activities lawfully) in a way that was neither professional nor safe in spite of China’s advanced notice and repeated warnings.” China also blamed the Philippine side for the “bumping” of the PCG’s BRP Cabra and its militia vessel. “At 08:13 A.M., the Philippine vessel 4409 began to astern deliberately, leading to the collision of the stern of its vessel into the starboard of China’s static floating Qiong Sansha Yu 00003,” it said. “The move was to make faults with China and escalate the current situation,” it added. It continued: “The Philippines’ action seriously violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and threatened the navigation safety of the Chinese vessels.” China also insisted that their operations were “professional, legitimate and lawful and the responsibility lay entirely with the Philippine side.” Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration — a landmark decision that China continues to reject. WITH RAFFY AYENG @tribunephl_raf The post China bullies Phl resupply vessels appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US, Canada condemn China’s ‘disruption’ of Phl’s resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal
The United States on Sunday denounced China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea that led to a collision of its vessels with Philippine vessels en route to a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal. In a tweet, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson described China Coast Guard’s actions as a “disruption” of a “legal” resupply mission of the Philippines to the BRP Sierra Madre, its permanent military post in the West Philippine Sea. “The United States condemns PRC’s latest disruption of a legal Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, putting the lives of Filipino service members at risk,” Carlson said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Earlier today, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea accused the CCG of performing "dangerous blocking maneuvers" that resulted in a collision with the Unaiza May 2, an indigenous boat contracted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre. The NTF-WPS condemned the “provocative, irresponsible, and illegal action” of the China Coast Guard ship which “imperiled the safety” of the Unaiza May 2 crew. It also flagged the “bumping” of the Chinese Maritime Militia vessel against the Philippine Coast Guard BRP Cabra’s port side while it was lying approximately 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal. Carlson said Washington “stands” with Manila in “protecting Philippine sovereignty and in support of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.” Over the past months, the US reiterated its “ironclad” alliance commitment to the Philippines, amid the escalating tension in the WPS, a portion of the South China Sea both claimed by the Philippines and China. In August, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III stressed that the Mutual Defense Treaty between Washington and Manila is extended to the latter’s public vessels. In a separate statement, Canada also condemned what it described as “unlawful and dangerous conduct” of the People's Republic of China in the WPS, which “provoked two collisions with Philippine vessels engaged in routine operations inside the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.” “The PRC's actions are unjustified. China has no lawful claim to the West Philippine Sea. Its actions are incompatible with the obligations of a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the Canadian Embassy in Manila said. “Continuing acts of intimidation and coercion undermine safety, stability, and security across the region, and increase the risk of miscalculation,” it added. Canada said it welcomed the news that no injuries resulted from these collisions and commended the “professionalism and restraint exercised” by the Philippine Coast Guard. “Canada affirms its support for a rules-based order in the South China Sea consistent with international law, including UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral decision, which is final and binding on the parties,” it said. Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration – a landmark decision that China continues to reject. The post US, Canada condemn China’s ‘disruption’ of Phl’s resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl, China trade barbs over ships’ collision in WPS
The Philippines and China blamed each other on Sunday for the collisions of their ships in the West Philippine Sea, a portion of the South China Sea, which the two countries both claim. The two countries separately issued strongly worded statements after the collision of their vessels near the Ayungin Shoal, which the latter refers to as Ren’ai Reef. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea accused the CCG of performing "dangerous blocking maneuvers" that resulted in a collision with the Unaiza May 2, an indigenous boat contracted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre. The NTF-WPS condemned the “provocative, irresponsible, and illegal action” of the China Coast Guard ship which “imperiled the safety” of the Unaiza May 2 crew. In the same resupply mission, a Chinese Maritime Militia vessel “bumped” the Philippine Coast Guard BRP Cabra’s port side which was escorting the Philippine vessels while it was lying approximately 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal. The NTF-WPS said it “condemns in the strongest degree the latest dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions of the CCG and the Chinese maritime militia done this morning.” It stated that the Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction were “violated” by the conduct of the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels. The Philippines also described the incident as an “utter blatant disregard of the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and relevant international maritime conventions, and the 2016 Arbitral Award.” ‘Trespassing’ For its part, China threw the blame on the Philippines side, stressing that its vessels “trespassed” into the adjacent waters of Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Islands without permission. “Since the Philippine side ignored China’s repeated warnings, the China Coast Guard responded lawfully and blocked the Philippine vessels which were illegally carrying construction materials,” the CCG said in a statement shared by the Chinese Embassy in Manila to Filipino journalists. The CCG also said that the Unaizah Mae 2 “sailed at the bow of China Coast Guard 5203 (which was conducting law enforcement activities lawfully) on purpose in a way that was not professional nor safe in spite of China’s advanced notice and repeated warnings.” China also blamed the Philippine side for the “bumping” of the PCG’s BRP Cabra and its militia vessel. “At 08:13 A.M., the Philippine vessel 4409 began to astern deliberately, leading to the collision of the stern of its vessel into the starboard of China’s static floating Qiong Sansha Yu 00003,” it said. “The move was to make faults with China and escalate the current situation,” it added. It continued: “The Philippines’ action seriously violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and threatened the navigation safety of the Chinese vessels.” China also insisted that their operations were “professional, legitimate and lawful and the responsibility lay entirely with the Philippine side.” Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration – a landmark decision that China continues to reject. The post Phl, China trade barbs over ships’ collision in WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senators denounce China’s ‘abhorrent’ actions in WPS
Senators on Sunday condemned China for performing “dangerous blocking maneuvers” that resulted in a collision with the Unaiza May 2, an indigenous boat contracted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre. In separate statements, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senators Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Tolentino expressed their anger over the collision that put the safety of the Filipino crew at risk. “I am one with peace-loving Filipinos in strongly condemning this latest abhorrent actions of the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia that put in danger the lives of our brave countrymen who were on a routine resupply mission to our troops in Ayungin Shoal,” Zubiri said. “Let me salute our personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for displaying courage and restraint in continuing their resupply missions despite the hostile and treacherous acts of China Coast Guard and their maritime militia,” he added. Zubiri called on CCG to “respect human lives and abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international laws governing safe maritime travel.” “Our freedom of navigation in our own exclusive economic zone within our own continental shelf should be recognized and upheld,” he stressed. The Senate chief also reiterated his support for his colleagues' efforts to beef up the PCG and AFP’s budget for the next fiscal year to “better capacitate them in safeguarding our exclusive economic zones from illegal foreign intrusions.” “As leader of the Senate, I will make sure that our troops will get sufficient funds under the 2024 national budget to bankroll the much-needed upgrade of their equipment,” he said. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea accused the CCG of performing "dangerous blocking maneuvers" that resulted in a collision with the Unaiza May 2, an indigenous boat contracted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre. The NTF-WPS condemned the “provocative, irresponsible, and illegal action” of the China Coast Guard ship which “imperiled the safety” of the Unaiza May 2 crew. In the same resupply mission, a Chinese Maritime Militia vessel “bumped” the Philippine Coast Guard BRP Cabra’s port side which was escorting the Philippine vessels while it was lying approximately 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal. The NTF-WPS said it “condemns in the strongest degree the latest dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions of the CCG and the Chinese maritime militia done this morning.” ‘Enough’ Hontiveros echoed Zubiri’s call on China to “stop” its activities in the West Philippine Sea which she said clearly violates international law. “This latest collision is squarely the China Coast Guard’s fault,” she said in a separate statement. “The 2016 Arbitral Award has resolutely invalidated China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea, making this incident a clear violation of international law,” she added. Hontiveros said the PCG “has every right to be in the West Philippine Sea.” “China has no right to drive our forces into our own seas. Furthermore, they do not have the right to hurt and bump Philippine vessels that are only performing their jobs in our territories,” she stressed. “Chinese vessels have chased, blocked, and harassed our Philippine Coast Guard daily, 24/7 every single time we conduct our resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre,” she added. The opposition lawmaker also called on the international community to join the Philippines’ condemnation of China’s most recent violence against the Filipino people. “Our nations should not stop fighting for the rule of law. It is the only way to have a chance at true peace and stability across the region and the world,” she said. For his part, Tolentino said the recent confrontation between the Philippines and China clearly shows China’s continuous disregard for international law. He noted that the incident should be investigated by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the Code for Investigation ng Marine Casualties and Incidents of the International Maritime Organization. Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration – a landmark decision that China continues to reject. The post Senators denounce China’s ‘abhorrent’ actions in WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»