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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......»»
ANGKAS: Driving force of the future
Millions of commuters brave the road every single day. At the same time, being on the road and picking up passengers despite unpredictable weather conditions and uncertain times has become the primary source of income for drivers — and this is how Angkas become a driving force for both commuters and drivers despite the worsening transportation crisis in the Philippines. Angkas CEO George Royeca is a beacon of hope for commuters struggling to find a ride amid bustling crowds and everyone who wants to earn money from ride-hailing. "We're looking at empowering the informal sector, particularly those that own a motorcycle. We can quickly help reinforce the motorcycle as a business concept to many Filipino brothers and sisters so they can lead a good life," Royeca said in a recent interview. Bounce back As pandemic restrictions ease and more Filipinos return to the road since last year, Angkas champions as one of the best ride-hailing companies in the Philippines, offering an affordable and reliable ride that commuters can enjoy without compromising their safety. During the pandemic's peak, back riding on motorcycles has been limited to people within the same household. With the government allowing Angkas to reopen its services to the public, it became a viable option for commuters, considering the seating capacity restrictions of trains, buses, and other public utility vehicles. With Angkas' upstanding performance in serving Filipinos in their everyday lives, Royeca is optimistic about the mobile application's future in the market. "I'm thrilled that every person that we talk to, whether they're from the government or the private sector, they believe in this industry that we have been able to establish, and I think that we have proven that it is a safe form of transportation and also an affordable option, alternative to the existing transportation public utility vehicles," he said. Royeca also mentioned expanding the mobile application to the informal sector. "Outside Manila, there's still a lot of habal-habals (motorcycles-for-hire) that are informal, and it is time to make them a part of the legitimized (system)," Royeca said, believing that all riders should experience the same opportunities as Angkas riders. With the Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, private owners of motorcycles can be sued when they accept or transport passengers in exchange for payment. Despite good intentions to provide an alternative and ease commuter needs, habal-habal remains unregulated and illegal under Republic Act no. 4136 — and it becomes heavily discouraged by the authorities since private riders cannot offer safety or insurance when extreme circumstances arise. Fulfilling dreams Angkas bring forward a positive change towards their bikers in pushing through with their goals and life aspirations. A living testament to Angkas' strong commitment towards its bikers is Kleiy Zarus Escalona, an Angkas rider who was able to graduate with a degree in BS Criminology. In a Facebook post that garnered a positive reaction from netizens, Escalona thanked Angkas for helping him finish his studies while earning at the side. “SALAMAT ANGKAS since 2017 hanggang ngayon ANGKAS kasama kita. Laking tulong mo sa mga estudyante(ng) nakakapaghanapbuhay ka ng hindi nakaka-abala sa pag-aaral mo kaya maraming salamat sayo (Angkas) nakapagtapos ako ng pag-aaral sa kursong BS CRIMINOLOGY, (Thank you Angkas for being with me since 2017. You are a big help to working students that’s why I am thankful to Angkas because I was able to finish my studies with a degree in BS Criminology.)” the Facebook post reads. Escalona's story proves how perseverance and hard work pay off. At the same time, it is a story that shows how Angkas' business model helps its riders have a productive and meaningful life outside the ride-hailing platform. Royeca is proud of the rider for his success, adding that Angkas firmly adheres to creating more job opportunities and alleviating poverty. Royeca confirmed that 30,000 registered bikers on their platform are out of the poverty line — and they will continue to extend their services to the Filipino people. With more than seven to eight million downloads of the mobile application, Royeca is hopeful and persistent in bringing the well-loved ride-hailing service to cities outside Metro Manila in the future. "We're hopeful that we can open up and provide services to the places that needed it the most, which are the provinces, so I think there is a lot of opportunity there," Royeca said, noting that Angkas is on the process of extending their reach outside Metro Manila, including Cebu and Cagayan de Oro. The post ANGKAS: Driving force of the future appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
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