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Long-game scenario
Employing lawfare and so-called grey zone tactics may point to China preparing for the long haul, according to experts. The tactic involves wearing down its opponents in the South China Sea conflict while waiting for a suitable administration in the United States, which would again give less importance to America’s stabilizing role in the Asia-Pacific region. China’s preparations for a protracted conflict are evident in its latest moves, from making public the 10-dash line claim, the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Jakarta, and the water spraying by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel of a Philippine Navy boat on a mission to resupply the grounded Sierra Madre. Regional analysts said China is employing a combination of lawfare, which is the use of legal systems and institutions to undermine an opponent, and gray zone tactics, which are maneuvers short of war that point to a conflict for the long haul. China’s drafting of a new map was timed to reassert its territorial claims and flex its muscles ahead of the ASEAN and G20 Summits. It did gain a measure of success as in the joint statements customarily issued at the end of the events; there was no explicit mention of China despite most members of the regional blocs expressing concerns about its assertive actions in the disputed waters. Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies based at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said the elephant in the room, amid the increasing aggressiveness of the Asian giant, was China’s undergoing multiple crises. Koh said that while lawfare and maritime coercion have been part and parcel of Beijing’s toolkit in the past, “there has been an obvious uptick that coincided with China’s domestic problems, which are property market woes, high youth unemployment, and sluggish exports.” For instance, during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, “the Philippines was subjected to boat swarming tactics similar to those recently seen.” The use of such methods intensified after the Philippines announced an expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States, which Beijing interpreted as one of America’s efforts to intervene in its conflict with Taiwan. For China, digging in and preparing for a long engagement is beneficial. At Ayungin Shoal, China has been blocking Philippine missions to repair the dilapidated landing ship grounded there since it knows that the rusting hull would not last too long and nature will take care of its eventual removal. It can simply wear down the country’s resolve until it abandons its hold on the shoal, or so China believes. China is trying to prevent a united stand in the region since lawfare can be matched by counter-lawfare, such as by tightening existing legal maritime provisions or creating new ones in line with international law to assert the other claimant nations’ interests, according to geopolitical experts. ASEAN has inherent structural limitations make it challenging to take a united position on the South China Sea disputes. China exploits these limitations, such as the ASEAN decision-making process, where a disagreement by one member defeats a unified stand of the 10-nation group. Thus, the role of powers outside the region remains more important than ever to backstop the efforts to maintain stability while following international law. Previous talk about matching the military prowess of China, particularly for the long haul, would be impossible for the Philippines. This was why the alliance with the United States through EDCA was strengthened — to give the Philippines the minimum defense capability against aggressors. The post Long-game scenario appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chinese Coast Guard bullies PCG, AFP in WPS
The spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela on Friday confirmed another bullying incident involving Chinese maritime personnel to the Philippine Coast Guard during its recent routine Rotation and Resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal on Friday. He said the PCG again assisted in the routine Rotation and Resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and it deployed two 44-meter vessels, namely BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407), as escort ships for the resupply boats “The routine RoRe mission was again subjected to dangerous maneuvers by the four China Coast Guard (CCG 21616, CCG 21551, CCG 21556, and CCG 5305) and four Chinese Maritime Militia (QIONG SANSHA YU 00231, QIONG SANSHA YU 00115, QIONG SANSHA YU 00114, and QIONG SANSHA YU 00008), jeopardizing the crew members' safety aboard the PCG vessels and Philippine resupply boats,” he said in a statement on Friday. Despite the challenging circumstances brought about by the illegal presence and activities of the CCG and CMM in our exclusive economic zone, Tarriela said the mission was carried out successfully and the much-needed supplies were delivered to our dedicated troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre. “The PCG stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the AFP in our shared commitment to safeguarding our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award and other relevant international instruments, including the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. “The PCG calls upon the CCG and CMM to immediately cease any illegal activities within the maritime zones of the Philippines. Doing so can foster a stable, secure, and rules-based maritime order conducive to regional cooperation and peace,” Tarriela stated. Further, he maintained that “under the leadership of the Commandant, Coast Guard Admiral Artemio Abu, the PCG supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call, made during the recent ASEAN Summit, for the Southeast Asian nations to unite against the use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea to pursue claims inconsistent with international law." The post Chinese Coast Guard bullies PCG, AFP in WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OSG special team formed to study legal options on WPS
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra yesterday said a special team was formed that will study and propose legal and diplomatic options over the disputed West Philippine Sea. He said the team is composed of solicitors with expertise in public international law, the law of the sea and other maritime laws, and international arbitration. The SolGen said they formed a special team of solicitors to study and propose legal and diplomatic options for handling WPS issues with China. Guevarra said that raising the matter to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly is also “one of the options.” However, when asked if the government is leaning towards this option, Guevarra said it would be premature to comment. In May, retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said it is time for the government to submit a resolution to the UN General Assembly to have China comply with the 2016 arbitration ruling that rejected its claims in the West Philippine Sea. The retired SC associate justice is of the belief that the Philippines will “win there.” The Philippines in 2013, challenged China’s legal basis for its vast claim in the South China Sea before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands. The Philippines won the case in a landmark decision in 2016 after the tribunal invalidated Beijing’s assertions. China has stated that they do not recognize the ruling. As for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. the Philippines will not give up an inch of its territory, including the West Philippine Sea, amid the aggression of China in the area. The post OSG special team formed to study legal options on WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
U.S. must step up too
American analysts have been exploring the possible ways the West Philippine Sea conflict will play out primarily with the so-called “gray zone” maneuvers by China in the disputed waters in which non-military activities are employed for coercion. The United States Institute of Peace, or USIP, a federal body tasked with promoting conflict resolution and prevention worldwide, is reviewing ways that Washington can play a role in de-escalating the tension in the region. The review was sparked by an act of aggression last week when a Chinese Coast Guard vessel deployed a water cannon to redirect an unarmed Philippine Navy supply boat. China blamed the incident on the Philippine government’s continued defiance of an earlier understanding to ban the delivery of construction materials to the beached BRP Sierra Madre navy vessel at Ayungin Shoal. Tensions have been on the rise since last year on China’s perception that Manila was moving closer to Washington, prompting a more aggressive assertion of its claim over most of the West Philippine Sea. “Given that Washington and Manila have a mutual defense treaty, there is credible concern that an incident like this could trigger a wider US-China conflict,” according to the USIP. Under a new Philippine administration, the formerly conciliatory approach the country had taken in its dispute with China has shifted. Instead, Brian Harding, USIP senior expert for Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has highlighted China’s efforts to swarm and intimidate fishing and coast guard vessels to take the bold move of deepening defense ties with the United States, bringing China-Philippines ties to a new low. Ayungin Shoal, the USIP expert said, has long been a likely candidate for the first showdown between the Philippines and China since Beijing took control of Scarborough Shoal in 2012. Former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio also identified the shoal, in a speech the other day, as one of five possible flashpoints that may lead to a deeper maritime conflict. In 1999, the Philippines intentionally beached a World War II naval vessel on a submerged reef, located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, and has since maintained a small contingent of Marines on board in extremely austere conditions. As a practical matter, in recent years China has turned a blind eye to the Philippines replenishing supplies for the Marines but has blocked the delivery of materials that could be used to repair the ship. USIP’s Andrew Scobell, a China expert, said the recent aggressive actions of a large China Coast Guard vessel on a tiny Filipino Navy supply boat was merely the latest episode in a decades-long campaign of intimidation and coercion by Beijing. Based on its insisted-on nine-dash line boundaries, Beijing claims the right to restrict access to ships from other countries to the South China Sea. “Many of (China’s) white-hulled ships are far larger, much better equipped, and more intimidating than the gray hull naval vessels possessed by most Southeast Asian states,” USIP said. China has persisted in its well-orchestrated campaign of low-intensity conflict, what is widely called “gray zone” actions, to forcefully advance its claims and aggressively push back against rivals. Carla Freeman, a senior USIP expert on China, said that beyond the effort to persuade and deter China, the US should engage in diplomacy to encourage allies and partners in the region to make clear to Beijing their own concerns about the risks to peace posed by confrontation. Regional allies have already issued statements criticizing China’s behavior, with Tokyo using unusually strong language to condemn China’s conduct, the USIP said. Like the Philippines’ position, the USIP said that Washington’s efforts in support of a binding code of conduct, or CoC, would be key to preventing conflict. The USIP, nonetheless, sees as a major obstacle toward progress in the United States itself since it is limited in its diplomatic capabilities after it failed to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Taking the high road in the simmering conflict, thus, would need both the US and China to review their positions of leadership to keep the stability in the region. The post U.S. must step up too appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BRP Sierra Madre: A rusting hope beacon
Don’t look now, but a piece of junk rusting away in the middle of a contested shoal stands proud as a symbol of a nation’s resolute stand to assert its territorial rights. Yes, whether we like it or not, the BRP Sierra Madre, deliberately grounded there in 1999, carries a profound significance for the Philippines in its quest to keep its sovereignty in the face of an ambitious challenge from an aggressive neighbor in the West Philippine Sea. Fighting boredom just to keep the country’s presence at the shoal — that is also claimed by China by so-called historical right — are Filipino marines no more than a platoon strong who are keeping watch from the aging naval vessel converted into a makeshift military outpost. The West Philippine Sea is an area of immense strategic and economic importance to the Philippines. It encompasses a vast expanse of maritime territory rich in natural resources, vital to the nation’s growth and development. Amid the complex geopolitical dynamics that characterize this region, the BRP Sierra Madre has become a controversial structure atop Ayungin Shoal. The decommissioned former US Navy tank landing ship is proving to be a hindrance to Beijing’s efforts to annex the controversial sea feature also known as Second Thomas Shoal. Removing it by force would set in motion the Philippines’ Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States and we all know what that means. Why do you think China is so interested in occupying the shoal they named Ren’ai? The shoal is a pivotal feature within the West Philippine Sea. It is situated approximately 105 nautical miles from the coast of Palawan, well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone as defined by international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The strategic importance of Ayungin Shoal cannot be overstated. It serves as a natural gateway to the broader Kalayaan Island Group, which includes several other reefs, atolls, and islands that are integral to the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity in the region. In this context, therefore, the BRP Sierra Madre plays a crucial role. The decision to deploy the BRP Sierra Madre to this location was a bold assertion of the Philippines’ territorial rights, serving as a physical manifestation of its sovereign claim in the face of aggressive territorial expansion by its neighbor. The symbolism of the BRP Sierra Madre extends beyond its physical presence. It embodies the spirit of Philippine resilience and the steadfast defense of its sovereign rights. Despite the vessel’s deteriorating condition due to the harsh marine environment, the Filipino soldiers stationed aboard continue to maintain their presence, demonstrating the Philippines’ commitment to safeguarding its interests in the West Philippine Sea. This dedication, often in challenging conditions, has drawn international attention to the Philippines’ determination to uphold the rule of law and protect its territorial integrity. The Philippines’ stance in the West Philippine Sea is not about asserting dominance over other nations, but rather about safeguarding its rightful interests in accordance with established international norms. UNCLOS, to which both the Philippines and China, among others, are parties, provides a clear framework for resolving maritime disputes. The Philippines has consistently advocated for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to conflicts in the West Philippine Sea, seeking to engage in dialogue and multilateral negotiations to find a resolution that respects the rights of all nations involved. The BRP Sierra Madre, as a symbol of Philippine sovereignty, also underscores the need for international support and solidarity. The Philippines does not stand alone in its effort to defend its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. It relies on the principles of international law and the support of its allies and partners. A peaceful and stable West Philippine Sea is in the interest of the international community, as it ensures freedom of navigation, promotes regional stability, and upholds the rules-based international order. The BRP Sierra Madre serves as a poignant reminder that sovereignty and territorial integrity are fundamental principles that every nation must uphold. It calls upon the international community to respect the legitimate claims of nations based on established rules and norms. The Philippines’ determination in maintaining its presence at Ayungin Shoal is not just about a piece of land or maritime territory. It is about defending the rule of law, promoting regional stability, and safeguarding the rights of nations, large and small. The post BRP Sierra Madre: A rusting hope beacon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Heinous crime on high seas
The West Philippine Sea has been a longstanding flashpoint in Southeast Asia due to the competing territorial claims between China and the Philippines. Amid the territorial dispute, a concerning incident occurred when China’s Coast Guard again fired a water cannon at a Philippine vessel on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is an atoll located in the Spratly Islands chain in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines claims Ayungin Shoal as part of its exclusive economic zone or EEZ, while China asserts its historical rights over the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by neighboring countries. This is not the first time the Chinese Coast Guard committed provocative acts against Philippine vessels. Earlier, on March 2021, when the Philippine Coast Guard attempted to deliver supplies and rotate personnel stationed on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal, the China Coast Guard intercepted the Philippine vessel and used water cannons to deter the resupply mission. The Sierra Madre is a scuttled, rusted Philippine Navy ship that serves as the country’s outpost on Ayungin. The firing of water cannons on Philippine vessels underscores the increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea. Such provocative acts heighten the risk of a clash between the two countries’ naval forces, which would surely lead to further instability in the region. With other claimant states, such as Vietnam and Malaysia, having their own territorial disputes with China, any escalation of hostilities could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and peace. The latest water cannon incident further strains Philippines-China relations, which have been marred by territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea for years. The Philippines has consistently sought a peaceful resolution through diplomatic means and in adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. However, China’s assertive actions, including the deployment of its Coast Guard and maritime militia in the disputed waters, have challenged these efforts. The incident at Ayungin Shoal adds to the mistrust and animosity between the two countries, making the prospect of diplomatic negotiations more challenging. It also raises concerns among Filipinos about their country’s ability to protect its sovereignty and maritime rights in the face of China’s growing assertiveness in the region. The Ayungin Shoal incident is just one of many incidents that have contributed to the complexities of the West Philippine Sea dispute. China’s expansive claims and island-building activities in the area have raised concerns among other claimant states and the international community. The Permanent Court of Arbitration’s landmark ruling in 2016, which invalidated China’s “nine-dash line” claim and affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its EEZ, has not deterred China’s actions. China’s militarization of artificial islands and imposition of fishing restrictions further intensified tensions and escalated the territorial dispute. The water cannon incident reflects a broader pattern of behavior, where China uses its military and paramilitary forces to assert dominance and control over contested waters, challenging the norms of international law and UNCLOS. To achieve lasting peace and stability, it is crucial for all parties involved to uphold the principles of international law, including UNCLOS, and engage in diplomatic negotiations in good faith. Moreover, regional and international cooperation is essential to addressing the complexities of the West Philippine Sea dispute and promoting a peaceful resolution that will respect the rights and interests of all claimant states. Only through constructive dialogue and adherence to established norms can the countries in the region find a way to coexist peacefully and ensure the sustainable management of the West Philippine Sea’s resources for the benefit of all stakeholders. **** E-mail: mannyangeles27@gmail.com The post Heinous crime on high seas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China still intractable
On the seventh anniversary of the Philippines’ historic 12 July 2016 arbitration victory in which the Permanent Court of Arbitration or PCA in The Hague that voided China’s sweeping claims, including over the West Philippine Sea which covers the exclusive economic zone stretching 200 nautical miles from Philippine shores, the words of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. strike an uplifting chord in the hearts of all patriotic Filipinos. “I will not preside over any process that will abandon even one square inch of territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power,” he said with conviction to thunderous applause as he stood before members of Congress in joint session for his first SONA on 25 July 2022. The words of the President serve as the title to the microsite recently launched by the Department of Foreign Affairs, which marks the seventh year of Manila’s victory against China at the PCA. That victory, the DFA said on the site, “authoritatively ruled that the claim of historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash’ line had no basis in law and is without any legal effect.” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo describes the site as a central resource of information regarding the award and its contribution to the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS and international law. China, ironically, was among the first to ratify UNCLOS in 1992. Said Manalo, “Anniversaries remind us of the trajectory we have taken as a nation and as a people. In the decision (by the Philippine government, under then President Benigno C. Aquino III) to file an arbitration case, the Philippines opted to take the path of principle, the rule of law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The Tribunal’s decision affirmed the correctness of that course of action.” It took three years from the Philippines’ filing of its case against China until 12 July 2016 for the PCA to issue its ruling that crushed China’s claims over the SCS, including its nine-dash line, denouncing the encroachment in and harassment by armed Chinese maritime elements of Filipino fishermen in the WPS. China has long argued that its claim over the South China Sea is historical in nature, with Chinese scholars and analysts contending that islands in the South China Sea were first discovered by China’s Han dynasty over two millennia ago. In his book Asia’s Cauldron, US scholar and strategist Robert D. Kaplan says that between the 10th and 14th centuries, during the Song and Yuan dynasties, many official and unofficial Chinese accounts show the South China Sea to be within China’s national boundaries. He, however, argued that this “historical rights” argument has been challenged on several fronts. First, there is scant proof that China had controlled the South China Sea after the mid-17th century. “Indeed, after a burst of seafaring exploration during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), China’s emperors largely shut their empire off from the seas,” said Chinese marine geographer Wang Ying who contends that, consequently, there is scarce cartographic proof of China’s rights over the SCS. While the nine-dash line concept has been around since 1947, Chinese maps — for the longest time — hardly gave it any prominence. This changed in 2009 when a map marking the nine-dash line was included in the documents submitted by China to the UN during a dispute with Vietnam. Today, Chinese passports are emblazoned with a map with nine dashes through the South China Sea as well as a 10th dash that counts Taiwan as part of Chinese territory. Still, there exists vagueness over what China’s nine-dash line implies. Wang says the dash lines mean that “the ocean, islands, and reefs all belong to China and that China has sovereign right over them. But it’s discontinuous, meaning other countries can pass through the lines freely.” Notwithstanding the ambiguities over its nine-dash line concept and the quashing by the PCA of its claim over the SCS, China, to this day, refuses to recognize the 2016 arbitral ruling even as nations, including the US, Germany, Canada, Japan, Australia, and the European Union have expressed strong support for the landmark decision that recognized Philippine sovereign rights over its EEZ in the WPS. For the US, the 2016 ruling of the tribunal constituted under UNCLOS is “final and legally binding.” The EU called the ruling a “significant milestone” and a “useful basis for the peaceful resolution of disputes…” even as Canadian Ambassador David Hartman said, “We have always been strong in our position; we have been an active vocal proponent on the enforcement of it, encouraging all parties involved to respect the ruling.” Speaking for President Marcos, DFA Secretary Manalo welcomed “the growing number of partners that have expressed support for the Award. We are honored that the Award stands as a beacon whose guiding light serves all nations. It is a settled landmark and a definitive contribution to the progressive development of international law. It is ours, as much as it is the world’s.” A world, that is, that an obdurate China doesn’t seem to want to be part of nor care for unless it can be bent to its will. The post China still intractable appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Prince Harry, Meghan in ‘near catastrophic’ New York car chase
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were involved in a "near catastrophic car chase" involving paparazzi in New York, a spokesperson for the couple said Wednesday. The pair were uninjured in the incident Tuesday night, which came almost 26 years after the Paris car crash that killed Harry's mother, Princess Diana, which Harry blames on paparazzi. The New York chase occurred after Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, attended an awards ceremony in America's financial capital with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland. "Last night, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ms. Ragland were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi," the spokesperson said in a statement emailed to AFP. "This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians, and two NYPD officers," the spokesperson added. A source close to the couple said Meghan and Harry were pursued by half a dozen blacked out vehicles with "unidentified people driving recklessly and endangering the convoy and everyone around them." "The chase could have been fatal," the source added, claiming a number of possible traffic violations including driving on the sidewalk, running red lights, and reversing down a one-way street, were committed. A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said "numerous photographers" had made the couple's journey "challenging." "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests in regard," deputy commissioner Julian Phillips told AFP. Harry has long had a difficult relationship with the media. He blames press intrusion for causing the death of his mother in a car crash in a tunnel in Paris in 1997 while she was being pursued by paparazzi. In a US television interview earlier this year, he recalled seeing the final photos of her and realizing that the last thing she saw before she died was photographers taking her picture. Harry and Meghan, an American former TV actress, sensationally quit royal family duties in early 2020 and moved from Britain to the United States, in part because of intense media scrutiny. The younger son of King Charles III has been involved in several legal cases against British newspaper publishers since moving to California. 'Dangerous' Last week the publisher of the tabloid The Mirror, which Harry accuses of unlawful information gathering, apologized "unreservedly" and said the prince was entitled to "appropriate compensation." It did not provide further details. Harry is also pursuing claims against the publisher of The Sun and the publisher of the Daily Mail. Those cases will be decided later this year. Harry and Meghan had attended the Ms. Foundation for Women ceremony in New York where Meghan received an award and were staying at a private residence. The couple's spokesperson added that "while being a public figure comes with a level of interest from the public, it should never come at the cost of anyone's safety." "Dissemination of these images, given the ways in which they were obtained, encourages a highly intrusive practice that is dangerous to all in involved," it said. Mayor Eric Adams said he found it "hard to believe that there was a two-hour high speed chase," through the Big Apple but added that even "a 10-minute chase is extremely dangerous in New York City." "We have a lot of traffic, a lot of movement. A lot of people are using our streets. Any type of high-speed chase is inappropriate," he told reporters. Harry carried out several TV interviews this year to promote his best-selling memoir "Spare," which has broken publishing records. In the book and subsequent interviews, Harry aired a barrage of criticism at other royals, including elder brother Prince William. He claimed William physically attacked him during an argument about Meghan and also detailed his strained relationship with his father, King Charles. Harry attended his father's coronation earlier this month without Meghan, who remained in California with the couple's two children. Harry was not given a formal role in the ceremony and was absent from the royal procession through central London. Nor did he join other members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony. The post Prince Harry, Meghan in ‘near catastrophic’ New York car chase appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Del Rosario’s wake open to public
The public may now pay their last respects to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario whose remains arrived in the country on Saturday as the late diplomat’s family opened the public visitation for his wake on Sunday. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas blessed the casket of Del Rosario on the first day of his wake at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City. Among those who first visited the wake of Del Rosario were former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio — both convenors of the 1Sambayan, a broad coalition that attempted to form a united opposition for the May 2022 poll. Del Rosario was one of the convenors of the coalition. Meantime, Dr. Inge del Rosario, daughter of the former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, said that his father’s remains arrived in the country from the United States at around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. “A patriot has returned to his beloved family and his home, the Philippines,” the family’s statement read. Inge confirmed that his father “breathed his last” at the age of 83 on Tuesday, 18 April, while en route to San Francisco with his wife and son-in-law. “While there were valiant attempts to resuscitate him by two doctors who were passengers on the same flight, these efforts were to no avail,” the family said. “Following an investigation by the coroner’s office in San Francisco, California, it was determined that the causes of death of Ambassador del Rosario were cardiac insufficiency, congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. He had suffered a massive heart attack,” it added. According to the family, Del Rosario “died in the arms of his wife of more than 60 years, Gretchen.” The family disclosed that Del Rosario embarked on a trip to California on short notice in hopes to pray at a private devotion to our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. “He was a devotee of the Rosary and sought to pray for better health as he believed he continued to have a mission to fulfill for his country,” they revealed. “He had suffered over the past twenty years from various ailments and had had numerous back and knee surgeries but persevered despite the pain and suffering to serve as Philippine ambassador to the United States and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.” Del Rosario stepped down from his post as secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2016, citing health issues. Del Rosario took the helm of the DFA chief for five years. During his stint, he ushered the Philippines’ case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration and challenged the latter’s historic nine-dash claim in the South China Sea. On 12 July 2016, The Hague-based arbitral tribunal favored the Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea — a landmark decision that the People’s Republic of China continues to reject. Del Rosario’s family is asking the Filipino people to “pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for consolation in our time of grief.” “We are deeply proud of our former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Albert F. del Rosario, and are grateful for the outpouring of support for the family. Our Papa, a loving husband, father and grandfather, a Patriot, has returned home to our Merciful God and rests now in the arms of our Blessed Mother. He is home to stay,” his family said. The post Del Rosario’s wake open to public appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Japan Latest Nation to Contest Beijing s South China Sea Claims
Japan has joined a growing list of countries that are challenging China's maritime claims in the South China Sea.On Tuesday, Japan presented a one-page diplomatic note to the United Nations.....»»
Ex-Ombudsman bats for support to arbitral ruling
Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Thursday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to seek more international support for the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that rejected Beijing’s excessive claims in the South China Sea......»»
US warship sails near disputed islands in tense South China Sea
An American warship sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, the US Navy has said, challenging Beijing's claims on the resource-rich waterway and prompting a warning from the Chinese military......»»
New US stand & rsquo;very strong& rsquo; signal to China, says Carpio
Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said on Tuesday that the United States’ new position on the disputed South China Sea sends a "very strong" message to China that Washington is supporting Southeast Asian coastal states in their disputes against Beijing’s expansive claims over the South China Sea......»»
Trump asked China s Xi for re-election help, claims Bolton
Donald Trump pleaded with China's leader Xi Jinping for help to win re-election in 2020, the US president's former national security advisor John Bolton writes in an explosive new behind-the-scenes book, according to excerpts published Wednesday......»»
FOCAP condemns Chinese embassy’s claims on ‘manipulated’ West Philippine Sea videos
The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines strongly rejected and condemned yesterday China’s “false and baseless” claims that journalists manipulate videosthey recorded in the South China Sea to present the Philippines as a victim......»»
Panatag is proven PH territory; China claims it by bogus history
A civilian supply expedition to Panatag (Scarborough) is set this summer. The shoal is Philippine territory. Filipinos have every right to enter its 15,000-hectare lagoon bound by rocks and reefs......»»
South China Sea- Beijing Is Gaslighting Manila Over Claims - Bloomberg
South China Sea: Beijing Is Gaslighting Manila Over Claims Bloomberg.....»»
China s claims over Taiwan lack a legal basis under international law, says envoy to Switzerland
Taipei [Taiwan], March 9 (ANI): Taiwan's representative to Switzerland, David WF Huang, reiterated Taiwan's sovereignty in a keynote speech in Switzerland, Focus Taiwan reported.Invited by the Swiss think tank Foraus, Huang addressed nearly 200 attendees at the University of Zurich, highlighting recent developments in the Taiwan Strait, including China's adjustment of the M503 flight path.According to Foc.....»»
China s claims over Taiwan lack a legal basis under international law, says envoy to Switzerland
Taipei [Taiwan], March 9 (ANI): Taiwan's representative to Switzerland, David WF Huang, reiterated Taiwan's sovereignty in a keynote speech in Switzerland, Focus Taiwan reported.Invited by the Swiss think tank Foraus, Huang addressed nearly 200 attendees at the University of Zurich, highlighting recent developments in the Taiwan Strait, including China's adjustment of the M503 flight path.According to Foc.....»»
‘Government not giving up West Philippine Sea claims’
The Marcos administration is on the right track in its consistent lodging of official protests against China’s incursions and harassment in the West Philippine Sea, as the protests prove to the world the country’s determination to defend its sovereignty, House Deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said yesterday......»»