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China: Mosques Shuttered, Razed, Altered in Muslim Areas
(New York) - The Chinese government is significantly reducing the number of mosques in Ningxia and Gansu provinces under its "mosque consolidation" policy, in violation of the right to freedom of religion, Human Rights Watch said today.Chinese authorities have decommissioned, closed down, demolished, and converted mosques for secular use as part of the gover.....»»
Escudero to gov’t: File petition before SC of Hague ruling over WPS
The Marcos administration can file a "Special Action for Recognition of Foreign Judgment" before the Supreme Court to formally recognize the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) as part of the law of the land, Senator Francis Escudero suggested Thursday. In a media briefing, Escudero noted that the Arbitral Ruling in 2016 reinforced the country’s claims over the West Philippines Sea while it invalidated China's nine-dash line—claiming almost the entirety of the South China Sea. He added filing a petition before the SC—to recognize the 2016 Hague ruling—will prevent future administrations from trying to amend the country’s triumph over China. Escudero said the government, through the Solicitor-General, should initiate the filing of the petition on recognition of foreign judgment before the SC. “The recognition of foreign judgment should be led by the Solicitor General as an official lawyer of the government,” he said. Escudero stressed a High Court’s recognition could be a “better alternative instead of bringing the WPS concerns” before the United Nations General Assembly—which he sees as having disadvantages. The senator said his suggestion could be one of the options in giving flesh to the intentions of Senate Resolution 718, which condemned China’s continued aggression in the WPS and urged the Philippine Government to “take appropriate action in asserting and securing the Philippines' sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone.” While pushing for the “Special Action for Recognition of Foreign Judgment”, Escudero admitted that the Philippines has no case similar to the arbitral ruling. However, he cited a parallel analogy in Article 26 of the Family Code that “allows recognition of a foreign divorce obtained by the foreigner spouse abroad.” Once the SC decides that it recognizes the arbitral ruling, Escudero said it will become part of the country’s law, and even if Congress did not pass any measure related to this, the said portion, could not be altered or revisited. “The Constitution is part of the law of the land. The Constitution says all decisions, final and executory of the Court, whether it be the higher or lower court, shall form part of the law of the land,” he said. While the Senate has adopted Resolution 718 and presented it to Malacañang, Escudero lamented it will ultimately be up to President Marcos which direction to take insofar as the country's foreign policy is concerned. He admitted not supporting the resolution on the WPS should his colleagues in the chamber would insist on bringing the issue to the UNGA. While the government seeks a peaceful route to resolving the conflicting claims in the WPS, Escudero pressed that the Philippines should strongly assert its right over the WPS. “The Philippines should continue what it has been doing," Escudero said, referring to the government's consistent move of filing diplomatic protests every time a Chinese harassment incident occurs in the WPS. "Tatayuan natin at hindi natin bibitiwan ang ating karapatan at pagmamay-ari sa lugar na iyan habang hinahayaan natin magpatuloy ang iba't-ibang uri ng ugnayan at relasyon sa bansang Tsina na pinagkakasunduan naman ng dalawang bansa," Escudero said. "We can agree to disagree on certain points but we can also move forward and cooperate on points that we have agreed upon, such as trade. For me this is the best way to approach the issue," he added. Escudero noted that he already discussed this proposal with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Senator Risa Hontiveros prior to the approval and adoption of SR 718 last 1 August. The post Escudero to gov’t: File petition before SC of Hague ruling over WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos: Philippines won’t be ‘cowed into silence, submission’ by China
“We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience. Filipinos do not yield,” Marcos said. .....»»
Pentagon chief reaffirms support after latest China aggression in WPS
Austin emphasized US support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in a phone call with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday. .....»»
Dela Rosa considers war with China but admits: ‘Hindi naman natin kaya’
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is already fed up with China’s persistent harassments in the West Philippine Sea, prompting thoughts of engaging in war with Beijing. But he knows, war is not an option. “Naubos na ang sasabihin ko dapat dyan. Short of declaring war na tayo dyan against sa kanila e,.....»»
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......»»
Roque: Xi, Duterte agreed to keep West Philippines Sea status quo
The Philippines under former president Rodrigo Duterte had a “gentleman’s agreement” with China to keep the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, a former Cabinet official said yesterday, as fresh tensions surround the WPS due to recent incursions by Beijing that targeted a Filipino resupply mission and a research team......»»
Opinion - South China Sea- Philippines must softly manage disputes or miss out economically
Manilas assertive transparency strategy is touted as a model for managing maritime disputes but it diminishes key economic opportunities. As Chinese investment pours into other Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines must reduce geopolitical risks without acquiescing to Beijing......»»
India backs Philippines in dispute with China
New Delhi has drawn a strong response from Beijing after reiterating its support for Manila in a territorial dispute India has "firmly reiterated" its support for the Philippines and its "national sovereignty," as Manila remains locked in a territorial dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea. Ten.....»»
India backs Philippines in sea dispute with China
New Delhi has drawn a strong response from Beijing after reiterating its support for Manila in a territorial dispute India has "firmly reiterated" its support for the Philippines and its "national sovereignty," as Manila remains locked in a territorial dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea. Ten.....»»
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......»»
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......»»
‘Trade with China should continue’
The Philippines should continue to pursue stronger trade ties with China despite rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, according to the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. and the Department of Trade and Industry......»»
China blocks Philippine supply run in disputed waters (VIDEO)
Manilla and Beijing have traded accusations over a naval incident near the Spratly Islands Chinese patrol boats used water cannons on Saturday to disrupt an attempt by the Philippine military to deliver supplies to a reef in a disputed part of the South China Sea, where the Philippine Navy intentionally grounded a tan.....»»
China blocks Philippine military supply boat in disputed waters (VIDEO)
Manilla and Beijing have traded accusations over a naval incident near the Spratly Islands Chinese patrol boats used water cannons on Saturday to disrupt an attempt by the Philippine military to deliver supplies to a reef in a disputed part of the South China Sea, where the Philippine Navy intentionally grounded a tan.....»»
China blocks Philippine supply run in disputed waters
Manilla and Beijing have traded accusations over a naval incident near the Spratly IslandsChinese patrol boats used water cannons on Saturday to disrupt an attempt by the Philippine military to deliver supplies to a reef in a disputed part of the South China Sea, where the Philippine Navy intentionally grounded a tank landing ship over two decades ago.The incident occurred near the Second.....»»
China blocks Philippine military supply boat in disputed waters
Manilla and Beijing have traded accusations over a naval incident near the Spratly IslandsChinese patrol boats used water cannons on Saturday to disrupt an attempt by the Philippine military to deliver supplies to a reef in a disputed part of the South China Sea, where the Philippine Navy intentionally grounded a tank landing ship over two decades ago.The incident occurred near the Second.....»»
Philippines lodges strong protest with China over water cannon attack in disputed South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): In the wake of accusation by the Philippines that the Chinese Coast Guard wounded three of its soldiers during a water cannon attack in the disputed South China Sea, Manila on Monday summoned Beijing's envoy to lodge its strong protest, Al Jazeera reported. The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, in a statement said that Manila conveyed its "strong protest against the aggressiv.....»»
Indian Coast Guard ship docks at Manila port amid tensions in South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): Amid tensions in the South China Sea, the Indian Coast Guard ship, Samudra Paheredar docked at the Manila Bay in the Philippines as part of a broader initiative aimed at demonstrating ICG Marine Pollution Response capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in an official release on Tuesday. The ICG ship which arrived at the port on Monday, is on an overseas deployment to ASEAN c.....»»
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......»»