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AFP supports PCG’s removal of Chinese-installed floating barriers in Bajo de Masinloc
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is supporting the Philippine Coast Guard’s dismantling of Chinese-installed floating barriers within the southeast entrance of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea. AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said the PCG’s removal of the 300-meter-long floating barrier that was put up by China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia vessels in the shoal was “legally binding.” “Dapat lang tanggalin ‘yon kasi atin ‘yon eh (It's only right that we remove it because that [Bajo de Masinloc] is ours)," Aguilar said in a television interview. Asked about possible response from China, Aguilar replied: "Wala naman tayong pakialam kung anong reaction nila. Basta sa atin, [ay] atin (We don't care about their reaction. What's ours is ours)." “Basta inassert lang nating 'yong ating karapatan, hindi naman tayo dapat matakot (We only asserted our right, we have nothing to be afraid of)," he added. The floating barriers in the fishing ground off Scarborough Shoal barred the entry of Filipino fishermen affecting their livelihood and source of income. PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said the barriers posed a hazard to navigation, a clear violation of international law. "It also hinders the conduct of fishing and livelihood activities of Filipino fisherfolk in [Bajo de Masinloc], which is an integral part of the Philippine national territory," he added. Meanwhile, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea is discussing the Philippines’ response to the Chinese’s “grave violations” of the Philippines' sovereign rights in Scarborough Shoal as well as in Sandy Cay 2, wherein an enormous pile of damaged corals was dumped in the island, just two nautical miles off the Bajo de Masinloc. The post AFP supports PCG’s removal of Chinese-installed floating barriers in Bajo de Masinloc appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Global concern
China’s recent release of its rewritten claim in the 10-dash line map is a prelude to more aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea or WPS, according to the assessment of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. Through a media mouthpiece, Beijing described the revision of its boundaries as a “normal exercise of sovereignty by law.” Security officials, however, view the new map as establishing China’s intent to strengthen its “control and occupation of the West Philippine Sea.” Teodoro urged international support for the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling invalidating China’s historic claim, or “if that’s not stopped, then the whole international rules-based order is in jeopardy.” China has consistently refused to arbitrate the overlapping claims in the WPS, insisting on bilateral dialogues or, at most, a settlement among claimants, which proved to go nowhere. Negotiations for binding rules in a proposed Code of Conduct have failed to advance for over 20 years. Ignoring China’s increasing assertiveness jeopardizes global trade since nearly all of the region’s goods shipments to the West and vice versa pass through the disputed waters. “If China’s claims are given credence, freedom of navigation and freedom of air traffic is jeopardized,” Teodoro warned. While China keeps blaming US intervention for creating instability in the region, the lack of concerted action among nations that Beijing encourages has led to its unbridled occupation of the sea features. Teodoro stressed that China’s “expansionist policy” heightens tensions. “It is the expansionist policy of China that is escalating the tensions not only between us but with Vietnam and other actors, and their 10-dash line is the best proof that they want to escalate tensions within the area,” he said. Teodoro contrasted the actions of China and the Philippines, saying that while Beijing asserts an arbitrary historical claim, Manila insists on enforcing international law based on the arbitral ruling. China’s containment is also not the target of the expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United States. “China keeps saying that we are containing them. If you use the word contain, that means to say you have an intention to expand, so for me, it’s disingenuous for them to use that term,” the defense chief explained. Despite the assertion of China that the Philippines has given the United States a free hand to intervene in the conflict, Teodoro said the country’s independent foreign policy of being a friend to all and an enemy to none is being maintained. “The (recent) water cannon (incident) proves that we are not leaning too much on the US because if we lean too much on the US, we would have asked them to escort us there, which we don’t want to do because we want to do things our way and we want a balanced foreign policy,” he said. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the country’s independent foreign policy is being upheld. Still, we will adhere to enforcing international law, particularly the 2016 international tribunal ruling based on the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. During the term of his predecessor, President Rodrigo Duterte, closer relations with China resulted in commitments of economic assistance and the fair resolution of the territorial rift through a CoC. Only a few promises were realized, rewards for actions that showed hostility towards the Americans. It didn’t go far, however, as in the twilight of his term, Duterte had to raise the international tribunal’s decision and the country’s maritime rights. Duterte said the ruling couldn’t be erased, and China would have to follow it, resulting in acrimony that continues today. The post Global concern appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UNCLOS gives substance
Discerning where the Philippines and China stand in the simmering territorial conflict requires returning to the arbitral ruling. China has been dwelling on the false narrative that since it did not participate in the proceedings of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, or PCA, it can disregard its ruling. The argument, thus, continues that since it was not a party to the process, then it is not bound to comply with the award, particularly since it had stated, being a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, that it would not subscribe to third-party arbitration. Annex VII of UNCLOS, however, provides that the “absence of a party or failure of a party to defend its case shall not constitute a bar to the proceedings.” That portion of the Charter of the Oceans also provides that if a party does not participate in the proceedings, a tribunal “must satisfy itself not only that it has jurisdiction over the dispute but also that the claim is well founded in fact and law.” The PCA said in its award that throughout the proceedings, the Tribunal had taken steps to test the accuracy of the Philippines’ claim, including by requesting further written submissions from the Philippines and questioning the Philippines both before and during two hearings. UNCLOS also appointed independent experts to report to the Tribunal on technical matters, obtain historical evidence concerning features in the South China Sea, and provide this to the parties for comment. According to PCA, China also made it clear through the publication of a position paper in December 2014 and other official statements that, in its view, the tribunal lacked jurisdiction in the dispute. Article 288 of the Convention, however, states, “In the event of a dispute as to whether a court or tribunal has jurisdiction, the matter shall be settled by decision of that court or tribunal.” The PCA convened a hearing on jurisdiction and admissibility in July 2015 and rendered an award on 29 October 2015, deciding on some jurisdiction issues and deferring others for further consideration. The PCA inquired on the issue of jurisdiction and found it had the authority to adjudicate. The PCA argued the award was final and binding based on Article 296 of the Convention and Article 11 of Annex VII. Regarding China’s claim of historic rights and the “nine-dash line,” the tribunal found it had jurisdiction, and it concluded that to the extent China had historic rights to resources in the waters of the South China Sea, such rights were extinguished. The historic rights were invalidated since these were incompatible with the exclusive economic zones provided for in UNCLOS. The Tribunal also noted that, although Chinese navigators and fishermen, as well as those of other States, had historically used the South China Sea islands, there was no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or their resources. “The Tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line,’” it added. The violation of rights was not on the part of the Philippines, as China had claimed consistently, but the other way around. Finding certain areas being within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, the Tribunal found that China had “violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by interfering with Philippine fishing and petroleum exploration, constructing artificial islands and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the zone.” The Tribunal held that Filipino fishermen (like those from China) had traditional fishing rights at Scarborough Shoal and that China had interfered with these rights by restricting access. The Tribunal further held that Chinese law enforcement vessels had created a serious risk of collision when they physically obstructed Philippine vessels. Based on UNCLOS, which China insisted on adhering to, its historic claims had no basis, regardless of its refusal to honor the PCA decision. It is thus bound to follow what is provided in the International Convention, which is all there is to it in the maritime rift. The post UNCLOS gives substance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Duterte breaks silence on ‘promised’ BRP Sierra Madre removal: ‘They’re dreaming’
“They’re dreaming,” former president Rodrigo Duterte said as he broke his silence over the claims that the Philippines, during his administration, promised to remove the Philippine Navy’s commissioned vessel BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. In a recent episode of his program 'Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa’ over the SMNI News Channel earlier this week, Duterte bluntly denied giving out “an inch of territory” to China during his term. “I did not discuss anything about territory. For one, what is there on the map is ours. We are not claiming an area over what is really legally ours. So, that Sierra Madre—is claimed by the Philippines as ours (in) that area—so let it just remain there,” he said. Duterte agreed that setting up the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin symbolizes the country’s sovereign rights over the WPS. “Maybe, as a symbolic thing, to put a notice on everybody na atin ‘yan (that it is ours), which is good. Kung ako ang tanungin mo, prangkahan ko lang either kung sino ang nakikinig dyan (If you would ask me, I will tell you frankly, to whoever is listening now)—whether its a foreign country or the government)” he said. “Kung ako magdala ako ng maraming barko sa navy na sira-sira butasan ko 'yan dun. Iwan ko. Ilayo ko pa na parang buffer zone (If I were to ask, I would bring many decommissioned and broken navy ships in there. I will leave them there. I will even scatter them as a buffer zone) so that there can be no issue about. I said I would not give an inch that is owned by my country,” Duterte stressed. Duterte emphasized that defending the country’s territory should be spared from being a good friend to China. “Iba yung mag-kaibigan tayo, iba yung teritoryo ko. Ang liit-liit na nga natin tapos kukunan pa nila. Hindi na maganda yan,” he said. Earlier, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo categorically denied that she made promises to China or any other country. "First, I never made such a promise to China or any other country. Second, I never authorized any government officials to make such a promise. Third, I only became aware of such claims recently, when the matter surfaced in public discussions," she said. China insists that Ayungin Shoal, which it calls Ren’ai Jiao, is part of its territory. But the Philippines maintains its sovereignty over the shoal as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral ruling. The post Duterte breaks silence on ‘promised’ BRP Sierra Madre removal: ‘They’re dreaming’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Palace says OVP P221.4-M confidential fund legal
The Office of the Executive Secretary has defended the legality of the confidential fund totaling P221.424 million that was released to the Office of the Vice President in 2022 In a statement to media on Tuesday, the OES said the fund was disbursed legally pursuant to "Special Provision No. 1 of last year’s Contingent Fund" for “maintenance operating and other expenses items.” “Under Special Provision No. 1, the President is authorized to approve releases to cover funding requirements of new or urgent activities of national government agencies, among others, that need to be implemented during the year,” it added. The OES explained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “saw the need to release the fund in support of Vice President Sara Duterte’s initiative, upon the recommendation of the Department of Budget and Management.” “Vice President Sara, who was newly elected then, needed funds for her new programs for the remaining period of 2022. The President supported this initiative and released the funds, with the favorable recommendation of the DBM,” the statement read. Of the amount, the OES said P125 million were confidential funds for "newly created satellite offices,” while P96.424 million was for financial assistance or subsidies. It also noted that there was legal basis to support the Office of the President's decision to release the P221-million lump sum to the OVP in 2022, which was charged against government contingent funds. Initially, the OVP did not have a budget for confidential expenses in the 2022 General Appropriations Act. However, the transparency report released by the Commission on Audit in 2023 showed it had acquired a P125-million allocation for confidential expenses for that year. In a recent Senate hearing, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte said the OVP had requested confidential funds from the OP as early as August 2022. However, Duterte noted that the confidential funds were granted only in December 2022. “We requested it from the Office of the President and it was granted through the Department of Budget and Management. I think the Department of Budget and Management can better answer the question of the transfer of funds from their source to the Office of the Vice President,” she said. The OVP has incorporated some P500 million in confidential funds in its proposed P2.385 billion budget for 2024. The post Palace says OVP P221.4-M confidential fund legal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos allowed sum transfer to OVP: Palace
JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Office of the President allowed the transfer of funds worth P221.424 million to the Office of the Vice President in 2022 upon the latter’s request, the Office of the Executive Secretary said on Tuesday. In a statement, the OES said Vice President Sara Duterte requested the OP release P221.424 million for maintenance, operating and other expenses. These include financial assistance or subsidy amounting to P96.424 million and Confidential Funds (for newly created satellite offices) worth P125 million. OES pointed out the legal basis for the OP to release the funds to the OVP, which were chargeable against the 2022 Contingent Fund. The office explained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is allowed to approve the fund transfer under Special Provision No. 1 under the Fiscal Year 2022 Contingent Fund. “Under Special Provision No. 1, the President is authorized to approve releases to cover funding requirements of new or urgent activities of NGA (national government agencies), among others, that need to be implemented during the year,” the OES said. “Vice President Sara, who was newly elected then, needed funds for her new programs for the remaining period of 2022. The President supported this initiative and released the funds, with the favorable recommendation of (the Department of Budget and Management),” the OES added. For context, Vice President Duterte revealed on Monday that her office requested confidential funds in August 2022 and received them in December. The Commission on Audit reported in its 2022 Annual Audit Report that the OVP had P125 million in confidential expenses last year despite not having an intelligence or confidential fund under the GAA. Duterte claimed the P125 million was used legally, even though it wasn’t in last year’s GAA. Senate Minority Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III raised a concern during the hearing, stating that the OVP budget for 2022 did not include confidential expenses. Senator Risa Hontiveros also questioned the 2022 transfer of allocations to OVP’s confidential funds. She demanded accountability for the unlawful and illegal financial transfer. The post Marcos allowed sum transfer to OVP: Palace appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Duterte: PBBM’s intervention needed to resolve Maguindanao Norte issue
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos should intervene in the conflict involving leadership in the defunct Maguindanao province, his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, said. “It's just one call only. Bahala na si Presidente Marcos kung sino ang gusto niya (It’s up to President Marcos who he wants to sit there). We will leave it to his discretion—president's desire to but he has to act to avert this thing,” he said. The financial crisis blew Maguindanao del Norte due to the concerns about the legitimacy of leadership that resulted in hampering the delivery of basic services to the people as well as causing the delay of salaries of the province’s workforce. “There’s a crisis there and it's because of politics. There are two governors claiming to the rightful (leadership),” Duterte said. The former president said Marcos could always make one call to make an order and resolve the issue in Maguindanao del Norte "once and for all." “He can call the person that he favored and tell him to go away. If not, he can call the army to remove that person, that is the end of it. If there’s a complaint, then go to the Supreme Court,” Duterte said. It’s at Marcos’ discretion, he added. In June this year, Malacañang announced that Marcos had appointed Abdulraof Macacua and Fatima Ainee Sinsuat as governor and vice governor of Maguindanao del Norte, respectively. This came after Maguindanao residents ratified in a plebiscite in September last year, mandating the division of the province into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur—provided under Republic Act 11550, which was signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in May 2021. Despite the Palace’s announcement of Macacua’s appointment, Fatima Ainee Sinsuat assumed the governorship in Maguindanao del Norte. Duterte insists that Marcos should step in and resolve the conflict in leadership. “A crisis like that; it needs presidential intervention at once. Just call the other one and weigh in on who is better or right. It’s a matter of law. It does not need a brilliant or ordinary man to really understand the conflicting laws involved. All you have to do is to ask your law office to give you (advice)—what you should do or whatever is the correct law or interpretation of the law to resolve this issue,” he said. Duterte said Marcos should not prolong the “uncertainties and divisions” to prevent the emergence of more problems. “It would create more problems for the people, including the salaries. Many people will get hungry if you do not act promptly on it. All you have to do as the President is to tell them who should lead and the other go,” he stressed. Duterte said Marcos should give an ultimatum to the leadership in the province. “I was like that when I was President. Do not complicate matters. Whether you are right or you are wrong, the legal office of Malacañang can help you decide,” he added. “In any government office, there’s always a legal law office to advise. I am a lawyer, but when I was a President I listened to the opinion of the legal office. It's the legal office that has the final say so far as the President is concerned. Do not prolong the agony because you can do something about it if you really want to,” Duterte said. He added that the President always has the power to resolve conflicting issues in the government. Earlier in August, the conflict in leadership in the defunct province worsened after the Supreme Court ruled that Sinsuat is the “rightful holder” of the gubernatorial seat of Maguindanao del Norte. In a decision promulgated on 26 June 2023 but released only on 8 August the Court stated that “Sinsuat, as duly elected Vice-Governor of the Province of Maguindanao, and Mastura, as next ranking member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Maguindanao, validly assumed office as governor and vice-governor, respectively, of the Province of Maguindanao del Norte, but only in acting capacities until elections for the permanent officials to the said positions shall have been held.” The post Duterte: PBBM’s intervention needed to resolve Maguindanao Norte issue appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Upping the ante
Beijing always ups the ante when it senses that its rival for the region’s security, the United States, is making its move to challenge its dominance in the region, which was probably how the 10-dash line came to be. With the release of the new map showing an expanded “historical” claim that included parts of India, China issued a strong criticism of the Americans with Senior Col. Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, saying the US should “stop meddling in the South China Sea issue, stop sowing discord and fanning the flames, and stop disrupting regional peace and stability.” The comment was in response to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III’s statement that “the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling is binding on all parties” and “the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to Philippine public vessels, aircraft and armed forces — to include those of its Coast Guard — in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea.” Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, commander of the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, backed the American position, saying the recent use of a water cannon by China’s Coast Guard against a Philippine vessel “must be challenged and checked.” He also “assured the Philippines of US backing.” Wu reiterated China’s position that the Philippines infringed on its sovereignty and violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea to justify the China Coast Guard’s action. “We hope regional countries can stay vigilant, faithfully implement the DoC, and work with the Chinese side to maintain peace and stability in the region. The Chinese military will resolutely safeguard China’s national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the spokesperson stressed. The increasing challenge from China should be matched by the US, according to geopolitical experts. A former Pentagon official, Michael Rubin, suggested the “reflagging” of islands in the disputed areas to send a clear message to China. Rubin recalled an incident in 1987 when President Ronald Reagan ordered the reflagging of nearly a dozen Kuwaiti tankers to stop Iran from attacking them to force the emirate to cease its trade with and loans to Iraq. “Reagan ignored criticism that reflagging the tankers could embroil the United States in war because he understood that at stake were not only Kuwait’s oil exports but also freedom of navigation and the rules-based order,” Rubin explained. He said that while skirmishes did occur, “once the ayatollahs understood Reagan stood firm, Iranian forces suspended their provocations.” Rubin believes that since China challenges the freedom of navigation and the broader liberal order, “perhaps the US could take a page from Reagan’s playbook and reflag not ships but rather some of the rocks, reefs, and atolls over which China now erroneously claims sovereignty.” The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated in 2016 the historical claim of China through its nine-dash line as being without basis. The root of the claim was a 1947 map the authenticity of which historians dismissed. “That Beijing bases its claim on supposed historic Chinese fishing activity further displays the emptiness of the Chinese Communist Party’s logic. After all, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Malay, Filipino and Indonesian fishermen also plied the same waters and perhaps even some closer to China,” Rubin noted. “Regardless, using the fictional map, China, in one fell swoop, claimed the bulk of the South China Sea and its considerable fishing and oil reserves,” he said. His proposal would be based on “leases drawn between the US government and its regional partners.” The leases would be backed by the arbitral award. “While the current US legal position supports the 2016 Hague tribunal judgment that finds no power can legally exercise sovereignty over disputed territories, the White House might reconsider this (stance),” Rubin added. But Rubin admitted that a greater problem might be the unwillingness of the regional states to offer leases. The proposal breaks with the usual conventions in the settling of disputes. Americans have a term for that, however: “It’s so crazy, it just might work.” The post Upping the ante appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Why is the South China Sea a flashpoint for Asia?
Competing claims to the South China Sea and its hundreds of reefs and islands have for decades been a source of tension in the region. The latest spat erupted on 5 August when Chinese coast guard vessels blocked and fired a water cannon at a Philippine resupply mission to a remote outpost in the disputed waters. Such incidents have fueled fears of a potential miscalculation or accident igniting a military conflict that could draw in the United States. AFP looks at the territorial disputes in the sea and what's been done to resolve them. Where is the South China Sea? The South China Sea covers more than three million square kilometers (1.16 million square miles), ringed by southern China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Borneo island and mainland Southeast Asia. Most of its hundreds of small islands, islets and rocks were originally uninhabited. The Paracel and Spratly chains contain the biggest islands. Scarborough Shoal is a small outcrop in the east. Why does it matter? The sea is the main maritime link between the Pacific and Indian oceans, giving it enormous trade and military value. Its shipping lanes connect East Asia with Europe and the Middle East, with trillions of dollars in ship-borne trade passing through the sea annually. Huge unexploited oil and gas deposits are believed to lie under the seabed, though estimates vary greatly. The sea is also home to some of the world's biggest coral reefs and, with marine life being depleted close to coasts, it is important as a source of fish to feed growing populations. Who claims what? China and Taiwan both claim nearly all of the sea, while Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei each have overlapping stakes to parts of it. Beijing's argument is based largely on Chinese maps dating back to the 1940s. It originally used an 11-dash line to demarcate its claims, but it was reduced to nine dashes under former leader Mao Zedong. The expansive claim approaches the coasts of other countries. The Paracel Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, though Beijing has held all of them since a conflict with South Vietnam in 1974. China has also controlled Scarborough Shoal -- a rich fishing ground 230 kilometers (140 miles) off the Philippine island of Luzon -- since seizing it from the Philippines in 2012 following a tense standoff, and it holds at least seven of the Spratly Islands. Vietnam controls 21 rocks and reefs in the Spratlys, while the Philippines has outposts on nine reefs and islands in the archipelago. Taiwan holds the largest feature in the Spratlys, Itu Aba, while Malaysia controls five others. How do they assert their claims? For years, rival claimants have been building up the tiny reefs and islets to bolster their claims to ownership. China's land reclamation program has been particularly aggressive. In the past decade, it has ripped up thousands of hectares of reef in the archipelago to create militarized islands, with runways, ports and radar systems. China also deploys hundreds of coast guard and other vessels in key parts of the sea, often more than a thousand kilometers from the Chinese mainland, to guard particular features such as Scarborough and perform other security duties. Has there been military conflict? There have been two armed conflicts between China and Vietnam in the sea that killed more than 130 Vietnamese troops. Beijing gained control of the Paracel Islands in 1974 after clashes with the South Vietnamese Navy. The other major conflict occurred when Vietnam and China fought a naval battle on Johnson Reef in the Spratlys in 1988. Relations between China and the Philippines have been frayed by disputes over the waters, but incidents on the open sea have so far not resulted in military conflict. What are diplomats doing? The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China adopted a non-binding "declaration of conduct" in 2002 to discourage hostile acts. All sides agreed not to use threats or force to assert claims. But negotiations since then to turn it into a legally binding "code of conduct" have failed. Manila will host another round of talks this week. In 2013, the Philippines filed an international arbitration case against China. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in Manila's favor, declaring China's "nine-dash-line" has no legal basis. Beijing refused to take part in the proceedings and has ignored the judgment. The post Why is the South China Sea a flashpoint for Asia? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippine director puts women at the ‘heart’ of drug war film
Widows and mothers are at the "heart" of a gritty documentary by Philippine filmmaker Sheryl Rose Andes, who turns the camera on women left behind by former president Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drug war. More than 6,000 people were killed in police anti-drug raids during Duterte's six-year term, which ended in June 2022, government data shows. Rights groups estimate the real figure was in the tens of thousands, mostly poor men living in slums who died at the hands of law enforcers, hitmen and vigilantes. Many of the victims had wives or partners and mothers, who have had to deal with the heartbreak and hardship of losing a loved one and often the family's main breadwinner. In her new documentary "Maria", Andes follows two of these women, Mary Ann Domingo and Maria Deparine, as they struggle to survive and find justice. "We have to register that this thing really happened. And now people need to see what has happened to their families," Andes told AFP in an interview. Andes said she was inspired to make the film out of fear that Filipinos could forget, or never learn, about the brutal period in their nation's history. She got a "huge wake-up call" when one of her students in a filmmaking course she teaches at Mapua University in Manila expressed surprise that the drug war was "really happening". That moment in 2020 -- four years into Duterte's drug war, which made headlines around the world and sparked an international investigation into alleged human rights abuses -- left her aghast. Three years later, "Maria" is the first full-length documentary to compete in the country's independent film festival Cinemalaya, which opened August 4. "Maria" -- a common name for women in the Catholic-majority Philippines -- focuses on the harrowing experiences of Domingo and Deparine, which Andes says gives the film "heart and emotion". The documentary shows the women doing menial jobs to support their families and making tearful visits to the tombs of their loved ones. "I zoomed in on the details because it should not just be about numbers," said Andes. "This is a story about women. I don't want this to be remembered as a drug war story." 'It is very difficult' Deparine lost two of her sons within days of each other in September 2016. One was with a local drug dealer when they were abducted by unidentified men. They were both shot in the head and their bodies dumped under a bridge. Six days later, a second son was arrested by police at the home of a drug-dealing couple. He was later found dead under another bridge. Since their deaths, Deparine, who works in a fish cannery and voted for Duterte in 2016, has moved multiple times with her husband and surviving son as they struggle to make enough money to pay the rent. In the same month Deparine lost her sons, Domingo's partner and teenage son were killed in a nighttime police raid while the family slept in their shanty home. Later, she and three of her surviving children had to flee for fear of their safety. Lawyer Kristina Conti, who is helping Domingo seek justice for their deaths, said the four officers who allegedly shot dead her partner and son had been freed on bail and were back in uniform after serving short suspensions. That's despite the men facing a homicide trial. "As a mother who lost her partner, it is very difficult. At times I just wanted to give up, and at times I actually did," Domingo, 49, told AFP in an interview. "This (film) is our chance to show to the world what happened to us." 'Political stand' Catholic priest Flaviano Villanueva, who appears in "Maria", said widows, mothers and grandmothers endured "unimaginable" hardships to keep their remaining family members alive. Villanueva, who runs a support group for the families of the drug war's dead, said there was a "social stigma" that led to discrimination against those left behind. Orphans were "bullied" at school and widows excluded from government assistance because "her husband got killed for being a drug addict", he told AFP. Another woman who features prominently in the film is former Philippines vice president Leni Robredo, a vocal critic of the drug war who is seen consoling Domingo and Deparine. Robredo ran in the 2022 presidential election but lost by a huge margin to the son and namesake of the country's late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who has continued the drug war. Andes, who spent a decade working for a non-government organisation before turning her hand to filmmaking, refuses to shy away from difficult subjects. She said documentaries were a "powerful tool" in retelling history, but she feared that Filipinos preferred "escapism" and were not prepared to face grim reality. Despite Duterte stepping down more than a year ago and Marcos Jr vowing to take the drug war in a new direction, Andes said the killings "never stopped". "A documentary takes a political stand," she said. "We are not fiction and we are not here to titillate." The post Philippine director puts women at the ‘heart’ of drug war film appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Duterte as special envoy to China: ‘Why not?’ Zubiri says
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Thursday said he sees nothing wrong with the proposal to appoint former President Rodrigo Duterte as special envoy to China. In a television interview, Zubiri was asked about his stand on the proposal to appoint President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s predecessor to represent the country in its negotiation with China on the issue of the West of the Philippines. “Why not? Anyone who can help diplomacy in this part of the world, in this economic zone of ours, the exclusive economic zone would be a big help,” he said. “It could be president former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” he added. Aside from the former chief executive, Zubiri said that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who floated the idea to tap Duterte, could also represent the country in its negotiation with China. “It could also be Alan, why not Senator Alan as well to help in the backchanneling since he’s quite close to some of the officials there being the former Secretary of Foreign Affairs?” he said. On Wednesday, Zubiri and 20 other senators met with Marcos and his wife First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in the Malacanang Palace after the latter hosted a “casual dinner.” Prior to his dinner with senators, Marcos also met with the older Duterte, who went to China last month. Zubiri said during their meeting with the president, the latter mentioned that it was Duterte who brought up the issue of the West Philippine Sea during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “What he mentioned to us, was during the duration of President Duterte’s meeting with Xi Jinping, the topic of the West Philippine Sea never was brought up,” he said. “Apparently, it was never, according to the President, casually saying that it was never brought up,” he added. He continued: “It was actually President Duterte to mention to Xi Jinping that on the issue of the West Philippine Sea, look kindly to the Philippines.” Duterte’s trip to China caught the national attention as the country was waiting for the decision of the International Criminal Court on the appeal of the Marcos administration to block its investigation into the former president’s controversial war on drugs which killed thousands of suspected drug personalities. Asked whether the Department of Foreign Affairs was aware of Duterte’s trip to China, the agency said it “had no official information on the visit of the former president to China.” Marcos, however, clarified that Duterte’s trip to China was “not a surprise.” During his term, Duterte veered away from the Philippines’ traditional ally – the United States -- and developed warmer ties with America’s rival, China. The post Duterte as special envoy to China: ‘Why not?’ Zubiri says appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM opens Samar Pacific Coastal Road
CATARMAN, Northern Samar — Five years since the start of its construction, the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, which completes the circumferential road connecting the three provinces of Samar Island, is finally completed. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the 11.6-kilometer SPCR project worth P1.17 billion on Friday in Barangay Simora, Palapag, Northern Samar. The project also included the construction of three bridges that connected Northern Samar’s Pacific towns to the rest of the province. The project, which cost around 1.17 billion pesos, was initiated in 2018 through a collaboration between the local and national governments, as well as the Korea Export-Import Bank Economic Development Cooperation loan. “With the opening of this road and its bridges, the development of Northern Samar’s rich agricultural lands and bountiful fishing grounds will follow suit. It will also expedite the delivery and movement of our basic goods and services, which will hopefully boost our people’s quality of life,” Marcos said. Governor Edwin Ongchuan expressed his gratitude to President Marcos and the Department of Public Works and Highway for their support, highlighting the economic benefits of the project in terms of increased agricultural productivity, improved tourism, and enhanced peace and resiliency efforts in Northern Samar. “The SPCR will greatly impact the economic development of our province, as it will remarkably encourage increased agricultural productivity of the thousands of our farmers and fisherfolks, thereby improving our program for food self-sufficiency. It will also boost our tourism industry and help sustain our peace and resiliency efforts in Northern Samar,” Ongchuan said. Governor Ongchuan also acknowledged the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte for including SPCR 1 in the priority funding of the national government under its “Build Build Build” Program and the Government of Korea for its support to the project. South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa said the SPCR project is part of their country’s commitment to helping in the Philippines’ development. “Local communities stand to gain from this grand infrastructure undertaking. SPCR will highlight the beauty of the island, ease the movement of people and goods, improve the delivery of services, and spur economic and business activities,” Lee added. Aside from opening the road project, President Marcos also led in the distribution of P91-worth of assistance to 2,500 vulnerable residents of Northern Samar. The Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, among others, distributed material and financial assistance to the beneficiaries. The Provincial Agriculture Office distributed farming equipment, the DA provided tractors, irrigation systems, and seeds, and BFAR distributed fishing boats and aquaculture implements, among other assistance. The event also included a job fair to help jobseekers in the province. Governor Ongchuan emphasized the significance of the program in providing direct access to consumers for farmers and entrepreneurs, contributing to increased income and affordability of basic necessities, and expressed his commitment to working with the national government for the country’s progress. The post PBBM opens Samar Pacific Coastal Road appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Unenforced arbitral ruling
It’s amusing to read the narratives of the European Union, Japan, Australia, and the United States on the binding force of the arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines on the conflicting claims in the South China Sea. The European Union consisting of Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden, issued a statement describing the arbitral decision as “a significant milestone”, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings, and a useful basis for peaceful resolving dispute between the parties. They lauded the arbitral award as a landmark decision. One problem with the EU statement is that it ignores the reality that China is consistently rejecting such arbitral ruling. Its irreversible position is that it never was a party to the proceeding as it refused to participate in the arbitration. It questioned the International Arbitration Court’s jurisdiction over it. Its stand at the very inception was — and still is: No participation. No recognition. No Implementation. Japan and Australia separately expressed their support to the Philippines in the matter of the arbitral ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Japan has been calling on China to comply with the permanent court’s ruling saying that “The claim by China that it will not accept the award is against the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with International law. In particular UNCLOS, and undermines the rule of law as a fundamental value of the international community.” Australia, for its part, reiterated its commitment to the Philippines in supporting the arbitral award even as deals with other thorny regional issues. Calling the arbitral ruling “final and legally binding”, the United States, speaking through a senior American official warned China to stop its “unacceptable” harassment and bullying of Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. It urged China, among others, “to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the1982 of the Law of the Sea Convention, halt its disruption to state’s sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources; end its interference with the freedom of navigation and overflight of states lawfully operating in the region.” The US also reiterated its commitment to defend the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty. As we come to the 7th year of the favorable award from the International Arbitration Court, there is still no visible hope that it will see its enforcement, notwithstanding the strong expression of support and reiteration of commitment by the countries aforementioned. As it was seven years ago when the arbitral ruling was handed down, there is presently no country nor an international organization that can flex its muscle to enforce the decision. For its part, the Philippines does not have the military might to implement it. Neither the European Union, Australia, nor Japan have thrown their resources toward assisting the country in enforcing the decision. The United States, despite its bold assurances and braggadocio, has not used its powerful forces to persuade China to accept the ruling. Our government has been regularly making diplomatic protests on every unlawful incursion by the Chinese Cost Guards on our territory, every harassment, every bullying incident in the West Philippine Sea but they have been completely ignored by the Chinese government. Perhaps it’s about time to pursue a different tact in dealing with China. Will expanding our trade relations with them helps? Will deepening our cultural relationship with them soften its stand on the contested territory? Will more intermarriages between our citizens deepen our friendship with China and alter its hostile stand on the South China Sea? Maybe we can try all of the above and let’s see how it goes. The post Unenforced arbitral ruling appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DND chief: Peace talks with Reds ‘farce, oxymoron’
Newly appointed Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. has reiterated his stance over the call to resume peace negotiations between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front. In a Palace briefing on Thursday, Teodoro rejected the plans of reopening the peace tables for the CPP-NPA-NDF saying there’s a legitimate political process to engage with them. “My personal position is no. It has been my position even before. and I think that is the position of the security cluster as of this time,” Teodoro said. “First of all, the government is open if the members of the CPP-NPA-NDF will return to the folds of the law,” he added, noting that the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity can always do its job to help rebel returnees restore their peaceful lives. “OPAPRU is ready to help them and rehabilitate them,” he said. Teodoro cited the huge contributions of the country’s anti-insurgency task force in dismantling the remaining guerrilla fronts of the communist rebels. Hence, he said the peace talks are "not anymore necessary." “I think, the peace talks—in terms of the democratic process—this can be done in a proper forum. That’s in the Congress. Go get participate in the legitimate political process,” Teodoro stressed. He said establishing CPP is not prohibited in the law, citing the provisions of Republic Act 1700 that have been repealed long ago. However, if the intent of the CPP was to support the indirect and direct armed struggle, Teodoro said: “That’s the problem. So to me, there’s no such thing as…it’s an oxymoron—that legal front? There’s no legal front [because] front is illegal.” Asked how would the DND intend to deal with CPP-NPA-DNF, Teodoro said: “Ideologically, to me, it’s a farce. What we intend to do is to convince those that are still continuing whatever business is they’re continuing—which is against the law—to come and join the folds of the law and join the national development.” The DND chief underscored the CPP-NDF can always apply to become part of the legislative process. “And as a political party, they can register as a legitimate political party just as long as there is evidence that there is a total disavowal of resort to subversive means in order to gain political power,” he said. Teodoro sees the communist ideologies remain unclear. “All of these theories, Marxism, etc., these are political theories, and the end is to gain political power. Now, at the end of the day, people who run things and so, although, it is hidden behind theory – it’s a human too. So, what motivates that human is to gain political power. And behind that, we cannot define what’s the real intention. Now to be fair, have elections,” he said. Former President Rodrigo Duterte officially terminated the peace talks with the CPP-NDF on 21 March 2019. In his remaining months in office, Duterte slammed the arrogance of the communist movement’s armed wing, the NPA, saying he could not give the communist guerrillas another chance to resume the peace negotiations with the CPP-NPA because of the "continuous killing spree of the NPA.” Despite his own position, Teodoro said he has yet to consult Marcos regarding the President’s plan on the proposed resumption of peace talks. The post DND chief: Peace talks with Reds ‘farce, oxymoron’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No binding deal on merger — DBP
The Development Bank of the Philippines clarified Monday there is no binding agreement yet to merge with Land Bank of the Philippines, even as the former insisted that there’s a need for a study on legal terms and impact on employees and other stakeholders first. This was the DBP’s response to a May 6 report by The Philippine Daily Inquirer saying Department of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, a proponent of the merger, expects the merger to be realized by November through an executive order from The Malacañang. “We are deeply concerned about the palpable efforts to railroad the process and to create public confusion by insinuations that the unification would be completed by November,” DBP said in a statement on Monday. No compelling arguments yet presented DBP had stressed Diokno has yet to present compelling and detailed arguments that the DBP and the LANDBANK cannot perform its duties separately and each contribute to national development on their own. With the merger, Diokno had argued the government could save P5.3 billion each year and lend P80.3 billion more annually. He said this can be done with the banks’ combined assets and removal of redundant operations. The report of the Philippine Daily Inquirer also quoted Diokno that “by September, an operational integration plan would have been jointly crafted and approved, and by October this year, the Monetary Board is expected to approve the merger.” However, DBP said the proposed merger must first be discussed among all stakeholders, lawmakers and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Utter disregard of growing clamor “The DOF statement is in utter disregard of the growing clamor from policy-makers and key stakeholders on the need to undertake transparent discussion and meticulous analysis of all issues considering the planned merger’s impact especially on the livelihood and tenure of DBP’s employees,” DBP responded. Last month, DBP filed an appeal at the Office of the President to review laws on the proposed merger, after Alex Quiroz, chairperson of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations said Marcos can approve the proposal without a new law from Congress under Republic Act No. 10149. “DBP reiterates the commission’s legal study only delved on the proper mode of merger. It did not discuss the propriety of merger. In fact, based on its statements, no recommendation in favor of merger had been given,” DBP said. Exhaust all available means DBP said its officials will “exhaust all available means to ensure that all issues and concerns are properly threshed out and effectively addressed in the proper and legal forum.” However, they said they are optimistic Marcos will lend all stakeholders an ear to ensure bank customers and employees will not be harmed. Before pushing through with the merger. “DBP is confident that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will listen to the clamor of the people and follow the proper and legally-mandated process to protect and advance the welfare of the banking industry and the country in general.” The Daily Tribune tried to get the side of Secretary not responded as of press time. The post No binding deal on merger — DBP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sudan fighters open ‘humanitarian corridor’ as toll mounts
Sudan's army and rival paramilitaries on Sunday began an hours-long humanitarian pause on the second day of urban battles that killed at least 56 civilians and three UN staff. The raging battles between the powerful armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) sparked an international outcry and regional concern. Neighbors Egypt and Chad closed their borders with Sudan. After the killing of the three World Food Programme workers, the agency said it was suspending operations in the impoverished country. Deafening explosions and intense gunfire rattled buildings in the capital Khartoum's densely-populated northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said. Violence erupted early Saturday after weeks of power struggles between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo who heads the heavily-armed RSF. Each accused the other of starting the fight. The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported 56 civilians killed as well as "tens of deaths" among security forces, and around 600 wounded. Late Sunday afternoon the army said they had "agreed to a United Nations proposal to open a safe passage for humanitarian cases", including the evacuation of wounded, for three hours from 1400 GMT. RSF confirmed the measure, though they said it would last four hours, and both sides maintained their right to "respond in the event of transgressions" from the other side. One hour into the agreed pause, heavy gunfire could still be heard in central Khartoum near the airport, and dense black smoke billowed from the surrounding area. "The gunfire and explosions are incessant," said Ahmed Hamid, 34, from a northern Khartoum suburb. "The situation is very worrying and it doesn't seem like it will calm any time soon," said Ahmed Seif, another Khartoum resident. Daglo's RSF says they have seized the presidential palace, Khartoum airport, and other strategic locations, but the army insists they are still in control. Footage obtained by AFP showed heavy smoke billowing from a building near the army headquarters in Khartoum, with the military saying a building had "caught fire" but that it had been contained. On Sunday, the stench of gunpowder wafted through Khartoum's streets deserted except for soldiers as frightened civilians sheltered inside their homes. Medics pleaded for safe corridors for ambulances and a ceasefire to treat the victims because the streets were too dangerous for transporting casualties to the hospital. 'Appalled' Fighting also erupted in the western Darfur region and in the eastern border state of Kassala, where witness Hussein Saleh said the army had fired artillery at a paramilitary camp. The UN said its WFP employees had been killed Saturday in clashes in North Darfur and announced a "temporary halt to all operations in Sudan". UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had warned that an escalation in the fighting would "further aggravate the already precarious humanitarian situation". The UN says one-third of Sudan's population needs humanitarian aid. UN Special Representative Volker Perthes condemned the killings and said he was also "appalled by reports of projectiles hitting UN and other humanitarian premises in several locations in Darfur". WFP said an aircraft managed by the organization "was also significantly damaged" at Khartoum airport. "We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed," WFP head Cindy McCain said. 'No negotiations' Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in Darfur a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes. The RSF's planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalize a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the fighting "threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians". Similar appeals came from Britain, China, the European Union, and Russia, while Pope Francis said he was following the events "with concern" and urged dialogue. After a meeting on the situation in Sudan, the African Union said a senior official would "immediately" travel there on a ceasefire mission. But the two generals appear in no mood for talks. In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Daglo, also known as Hemeti, said, "Burhan the criminal must surrender". The army declared Daglo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia". There "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group, it said. The October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests met by a deadly crackdown. Burhan, who rose through the ranks under the three-decade rule of now-jailed general Bashir, has said the coup was "necessary" to include more factions in politics. Daglo later called the coup a "mistake" that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests. The post Sudan fighters open ‘humanitarian corridor’ as toll mounts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Duterte could not stand narco-politicians: Palace
MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte remains firm with his commitment to eradicating illegal drugs until his last days in office, considering there are several politicians linked to the narcotics trade, Malacanang said Friday.This, after Duterte earlier took a swipe anew at former Iloilo City.....»»
Palace: ICC conclusion on drug war is no big deal
The International Criminal Court chief prosecutor's request for an authority to probe the Philippines' drug war is "no big deal" as it cited media reports that won't stand in court, Malacañang said Thursday......»»
Rody & lsquo;fit and healthy,& rsquo; Palace insists
President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend Thursday’s Cabinet meeting held via Zoom, a day after he canceled his scheduled public address “Talk to the People” for the second time this week......»»
Import vaccines at will? Galvez insists on tripartite deal
President Duterte has said he is allowing the private sector to import COVID-19 vaccines “at will,” but Malacañang clarified that the national government would still be involved in all purchases because it would shoulder indemnification for cases of adverse effects......»»