We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Gibo lambasts China’s remarks vs. BRP Sierra Madre causing harm in WPS: ‘Hypocritical’
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. lambasted China for blaming the BRP Sierra Madre grounded on the Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea as the “pollutant” in the waters. Teodoro burst out after Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning claimed that BRP Sierra Madre was the one causing sea waste in the WPS. “The statement of China that the grounded Sierra Madre is causing irrevocable harm is to put it as politely as possible—hypocritical,” Teodoro, told reporters on Saturday, reacting to Mao Ning’s statement on the Philippine Navy ship. The BRP Sierra Madre is the country’s warship that was deliberately run aground in Ayungin Shoal in 1995 to serve as an outpost of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Mao Ning called on the Philippines to tow away "rusting" Sierra Madre ship in their so-called Ren'ai Jiao (Ayungin Shoal) and "stop polluting" the waters around it “if it really cares about the environment.” The Philippine officials did not welcome such a statement from the Chinese government, claiming almost entire features of the South China Sea, without legal basis. Following Mao Ning’s remarks, the Office of Solicitor General said it is considering the filing of a lawsuit against China before an international court, for allegedly destroying coral reefs in at least two key features in the WPS—namely Rozul (Iroquois) reef and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal. This came after the AFP’s Western Command, based in Palawan, and the Philippine Coast Guard disclosed that coral reefs that were once abundant in the seabed of these shoals were “extensively destroyed.” These areas were also subjected to the swarming of Chinese maritime militia and other Chinese fishing vessels. Teodoro had said they are validating whether the report has been linked with the possible reclamation of artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea. “Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! China continues to damage the WPS by its illegal reclamation activities in the SCS and it was found to be a violator of international law in the 2016 Arbitral Award when such activities damaged the marine environment,” Teodoro lamented. Teodoro described China’s remarks as mere “propaganda” to divert international attention from their illegal activities in the WPS. “Disingenuous propaganda lines such as this only serve to expose China’s insincerity and will only heighten the mistrust by the Filipino people and the rest of the world of the Chinese Government,” said Teodoro. China has repeatedly tuned out the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the WPS which was based on the 2016 arbitral ruling of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The post Gibo lambasts China’s remarks vs. BRP Sierra Madre causing harm in WPS: ‘Hypocritical’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Coral pillage worries U.S.
The United States on Tuesday denounced the alleged coral-clearing activities of China at Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. In a tweet, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson described the reported coral destruction in the WPS as “troubling,” stressing that it would have adverse effects on the livelihood of people who depend on the sea for their livelihood. “Habitat damage harms ecosystems and negatively affects lives and livelihoods,” Carlson said. “We are working with our #FriendsPartnersAllies to protect the Philippines’ natural resources.” Carlson was referring to the massive coral harvesting at Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal, which are within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Over the weekend, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command reported massive coral harvesting at Rozul Reef. The report of missing and destroyed corals came following the sighting of Chinese maritime militia vessels in the area. The report was confirmed by the Philippine Coast Guard, which made similar observations in the seabed of Escoda Shoal. Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko also expressed alarm on the reported coral destruction in the West Philippine Sea. “Very alarming news. Our oceans are the lifeblood of our planet, and coral reefs are its colorful heartbeats,” Koshikawa said in a tweet. “Let’s preserve and protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come.” China fired back at Japan by saying the international community should be more concerned about Japan’s release of water from the out-of-commission Fukushima nuclear power plant. On Monday evening, the Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, said it was “seriously concerned” about reports on the destruction of corals in Rozul Reef. “The Philippines has consistently raised the alarm over ecologically harmful activities conducted by foreign vessels in our maritime zone, an issue extensively discussed in the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea,” the DFA said in a statement. “We therefore call on everyone concerned to act responsibly and cease all activities that can damage our precious marine environment. The well-being of millions of people who depend on the South China Sea for their livelihood is at stake,” it added. Earlier, senators warned that the destruction of the shoal’s seabed could be in preparation for China’s reclamation activities in the area. The post Coral pillage worries U.S. appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Reef harvesting being validated
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday the government was validating if the reported coral reef destruction in the West Philippine Sea could be preparatory to China’s reclaiming land to build artificial islands. “We have to validate it because according to the arbitral award, that is a violation of an international treaty — the destruction of maritime life, particularly if the coral destruction is a cause of, or used for the reclamation of artificial islands,” Teodoro said. The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard had observed the destruction of the marine environment resources at Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal amid the swarming of Chinese militia vessels as early as July. AFP WesCom chief, Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, reported a “concerning resurgence” of Chinese vessels at Rozul Reef in August, a month after they drove away around 50 Chinese maritime militia vessels from the area. China has reclaimed land in the Spratlys Group of Islands, where it built airstrips and radar and missile stations. Carlos said about 40 Chinese fishing vessels were spotted in the area on 15 September. He noted that the latest figure was higher than the 33 vessels spotted on 24 August and the 24 monitored on 7 September. Swarming was also observed at Escoda Shoal, where five Chinese fishing vessels were spotted, and at Baragatan Bank, where two CFVs were seen. This was followed by a report that the once abundant coral reefs at Rozul Reef were “extensively” destroyed after the Chinese militia ships left the swarmed area. In August, Carlos reported that they monitored more than 400 fishing vessels in the entire WPS, with 85 percent believed to be Chinese-owned. The post Reef harvesting being validated 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......»»
Australia Prime Minister: Arbitral award ‘final, binding’
Visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reassured the Philippines of his country’s support for the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing’s sweeping South China Sea claim, saying the ruling that China has continuously ignored is “binding and final.”.....»»
BRP Sierra Madre resupplied amid new CCG harassment
China attempted anew to block a Philippine resupply mission to the latter’s permanent outpost in the West Philippine Sea, the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed this yesterday, saying that Chinese ships conducted dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels conducting a third rotation and logistics run to the Sierra Madre. Nonetheless, the AFP Western Command and the Philippine Coast Guard successfully delivered fresh troops and supplies to the World War 2-era ship, according to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS). AFP spokesperson, Col. Medel Aguilar, said the government will remain firm in asserting the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal, it being part of its exclusive economic zone. “The unprofessional acts and dangerous maneuvers conducted by the China Coast Guard and its maritime militia will never prevail over our conduct of legal and legitimate operations that support a rules-based international order,” he added. Nansha Islands China defended its attempt to intercept the Philippine vessels by saying the two replenishment ships and two PCG vessels entered waters adjacent to Ren’ai Reef in its so-called Nansha Islands. It claimed the PCG and AFP boats entered the area “without the permission of the Chinese government.” “The China Coast Guard strictly warned the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law, tracked and monitored the vessels all the way and effectively regulated them,” CCG spokesperson Gan Yu said in an interview. Yun averred that Beijing has “indisputable sovereignty” over the Nansha Islands, including Ren’ai Reef and its adjacent waters, and firmly opposes the illegal transportation of construction materials by the Philippines to the grounded warship. “The China Coast Guard will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in the sea areas under China’s jurisdiction according to the law,” Yu said. Yu’s comments earned a rebuke from the NTF-WPS, describing the CCG actions as illegal, aggressive, and destabilizing. It may be remembered that the CCG used a water cannon against a Sierra Madre resupply mission earlier. “We reiterate and reemphasize that these operations are pursuant to our government’s legitimate exercise of its administrative functions and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea, firmly anchored on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” the NTF-WPS said. Humanitarian mission Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the Senate is “constantly monitoring” developments in the WPS. “This is a humanitarian resupply mission. Only barbarians at the gate will delight in seeing soldiers on a peaceful mission denied food,” he said. “As long as the law and truth are on our side, illegal barriers to what is ours will continue to be pierced — by the sharp tip of world opinion that upholds our cause as just,” he added. He said the Senate is ready to assist the AFP and the PCG through their budgets for the coming fiscal year “with the aim of developing a credible self-defense posture that will allow them to continue protecting our country and our people.” The post BRP Sierra Madre resupplied amid new CCG harassment 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......»»
AFP chief, Swedish envoy discuss jet acquisition project, WPS issues
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Sweden Ambassador Annika Thunborg discussed the country’s plans to acquire multi-role fighters under the Revised AFP Modernization Program. AFP Public Affairs chief Lt.Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said Brawner and Thunborg also tackled recent developments in the West Philippine Sea during their meeting on Friday at the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. "The Ambassador likewise expressed that Sweden stands firmly behind the Philippines in the protection of its territory and territorial integrity as well as the international rules-based order and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” Ileto told the reporters. During the meeting, Ileto said the two officials also discussed the modernization of the AFP and the role of like-minded nations both in building a credible armed force for the Philippines and in pursuing the rules-based international order in the WPS. Ileto said Brawner also expressed his hope that China will cease its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea as he insists that the “Philippines has a right to maintain the integrity of BRP Sierra Madre” situated in the Ayungin Shoal. “The CSAFP said the AFP will not allow China to dictate on us on what we want to do in that post that has become a symbol of our dedication to our mandate as protector of the people and the state and our commitment to our soldiers who are stationed there,” he added. The post AFP chief, Swedish envoy discuss jet acquisition project, WPS issues appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CoC reveries
An aversion to table the West Philippine Sea conflict and speeding up the progress of the Code of Conduct, or CoC, between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, and China is very evident in the ongoing Summit in Indonesia. The maritime conflict is not even on the official agenda and will be tackled only through optional bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the yearly assembly, which is all under the wishes of China. ASEAN, thus, is pushing itself into irrelevance by acceding to the wishes of China and its cohorts in the regional bloc like Cambodia. Despite its existence as an Economic Community since its inception, with full integration envisioned in 2025, much of its aspirations, including being a cohesive body to advance the interests of its members, remain a pipe dream. The CoC would have been a stellar achievement, but it was described as a moving goal post for more than two decades. In the ongoing ASEAN meeting, all that host Indonesia was able to commit to was a three-year deadline to finalize a CoC. Another set of guidelines is, thus, expected after the Jakarta assembly instead of a pact that will bind all the claimants in the maritime conflict. The guidelines, moreover, will have to be endorsed by regional leaders during the ASEAN-China Summit that is scheduled later. The Philippines is not confident about a substantial progress in the CoC despite its being the most urgent matter to maintain stability in the region. An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs said the outcome of talks on the long-delayed CoC will be limited “to mere reporting of past discussions.” “At most, there will be a report on what happened during the last meeting in the Philippines of the joint working group on the CoC,” which hardly equates to progress. During the third round of CoC talks in Manila from 22 to 24 August, discussions were stuck on the contentious issues of whether or not the CoC would be “legally binding.” China has historically resisted a legally binding CoC, the reason for the existence of the non-binding 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, or DoC. In 2019, Foreign Minister Wang Yi indicated his optimism that a CoC would be completed within three years, or by 2022. It is now 2023. He also announced that China supported a CoC that had “binding force” and was “an upgraded and strengthened version” of the DoC. The discussions then came to a head due to the different perspectives among those at the negotiating table, which are the same obstacles blocking the resolution of the maritime rift. China has refused to recognize the Permanent Court of Arbitration award that the Philippines and other claimant countries use as a basis for their position in the DoC negotiations. In not recognizing the arbitral ruling and insisting on its historical basis for the territorial claims, China and ASEAN are not on the same page in the negotiations, meaning that hopes for an agreement are futile. Like what happened in the local context when the Communist Party of the Philippines sued for negotiations with the government and used it to consolidate its forces, China uses the CoC discussions as a delaying tactic to fortify its position. Its recent release of the 10-dash line, which was a rewriting of its territorial boundaries again based on historical data, proves China is not about to change its position. According to reports on the Summit, China will only support a legally binding code when its historical version prevails. Another term that China wants included in the negotiations is barring countries outside the region from interfering. It also wants economic activities at sea, including oil and gas development, “to be conducted in cooperation with companies from countries outside the region.” China also wants the CoC signatories not to “hold joint military exercises with countries from outside the region, unless the parties concerned are notified beforehand and express no objection.” The untenable conditions appear designed to prevent the CoC from ever coming into being. The post CoC reveries appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Velarde map trumps China’s fabrication’
China’s new map expanding its nine-dash line territorial claim in the South China Sea is undermining the peace and security in the Asia-Pacific Region, geopolitical analyst Marlon Villarin told Daily Tribune’s sister publication Dyaryo Tirada over the weekend. Appearing in the digital show “Hot Patatas,” the University of Santo Tomas political science professor belittled Beijing’s new “standard map” for 2023 as a mere fabrication that would not stand scrutiny against the so-called Velarde map. The Velarde map is one of the oldest maps in the world, the one that the Philippines used to stake its territorial claim in the West Philippine Sea before the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. In 2016, the arbitral court affirmed that the Philippines holds rights over its exclusive economic zones in the WPS while dismissing China’s nine-dash line claim to nearly the entire South China Sea for being without legal or historical basis. “As things stand, they (Chinese) seemed to have fabricated (the nine-dash line claim). On the other hand, one of the oldest maps, the Velarde map, has helped us a lot,” Villarin told Tirada editor Rose Novenario. “It showed that it (WPS) is part of our territory.” [gallery size="full" ids="179079,179078,179076"] Discredited original If China’s nine-dash line map had been set aside by the arbitral court, it follows that its 10-dash line claim also has no basis, it being an expanded version of the discredited original, other political analysts have posited. Drawn by Jesuit priest Father Pedro Murillo Velarde, the map was published in Manila in 1734 and was described as “the first and most important scientific map in the Philippines.” Titled “Mapa de Las Yslas Pilipinas Hecho Por el Pe. Pedro Murillo de Compa. De Jesus,” the drawing has been instrumental, along with 270 other documents, in refuting China’s claim that it owns nearly the entire SCS. The WPS overlaps with the bigger SCS, where Chinese vessels, including from its navy and coast guard, had been harassing Filipino fishermen and Philippine-flagged ships. Aside from the Philippines, India and Malaysia condemned China for expanding its claim in the South China Sea, where trillions of dollars’ worth of trade passes each year, through the new map. The United States has been conducting freedom of navigation air and sea patrols in the SCS to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels in international waters, including those near the Taiwan Strait. [gallery size="full" ids="179082,179080,179077"] Claimants The Philippines, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan have separate claims in the South China Sea where China’s forces have been aggressively driving away other claimants. Months back, a China Coast Guard vessel used water cannon on Philippine Coast Guard-led ships resupplying the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War 2-era ship that ran aground in the Ayungin Shoal to serve as a permanent outpost for Filipino troops. Earlier, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año reiterated that the Philippine government does not recognize the 10-dash line or the nine-dash line claims of China. The new Chinese map showed 10 dashes forming the letter U showing nearly the entire South China Sea as a territory of China. Año stressed that the 2016 arbitral award was already final in debunking Beijing’s nine-dash line assertion. The ruling also gave the Philippines “maritime entitlement” extending its economic zone, territorial waters, and continental shelf. UNCLOS “The recent inclusion by China of its 10-dash line in their map is a gross violation of the territorial integrity of the Philippines as protected by the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea,” Villarin said. “It’s an affront to the Philippine Constitution that safeguards the territorial integrity of our country. It is also a direct threat to the peace and security of the Asia-Pacific Region,” he added. Villarin stressed that nearly all of the countries in the region would be affected by China’s claim, especially if it tries to enforce its “invention.” He recounted that in the 470-plus decisions made by the arbitral court, all of China’s claims were dismissed for having no legal or historical legs to stand on. The post ‘Velarde map trumps China’s fabrication’ 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......»»
Phl firming up stance vs China’s new map
The Philippines will continue to defend its sovereignty and territorial rights after China released a “new” map that claims the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday. In an interview with reporters in Palawan, Marcos said the Philippines is still developing a formal response to China’s expanded 10-dash line map. The government, he added, has long upheld the country’s territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea. The President’s late father and namesake, during his own presidency, established the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan to uphold the Philippines’ territorial rights in the region. Despite other countries continuing to assert their claims in the region aggressively, Marcos said the Philippines “has not changed its approach” to its territory in the resource-rich South China Sea. “It is other countries around us that have changed their approach. We have received the news that the 9-dash line has been extended to the 10-dash line,” the President told reporters. “And we will have to respond to all of this, and we will. But again, these are operational details I prefer not to talk about,” he added. When asked whether the Philippines will step up its response in the West Philippine Sea, Marcos said he was also counting on the backing of the international community since the Philippines “has stayed true” to the rules-based international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS. “I think it puts us on very solid ground in terms of our claims for territorial sovereignty, for maritime territory,” Marcos said. “This has been validated and supported by many, many countries around the world, and we should take strength in that.” The nine-dash line claim of China was declared legally infirm in a final ruling in 2016 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Beijing has refused to recognize the arbitral ruling. Trillions of dollars in trade pass through the South China Sea each year, the reason the United States has been holding freedom of navigation patrols in the area to stop what it described as China’s harassment of vessels and planes passing through or over international waters. Aside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have territorial claims in the South China Sea, which overlaps with the WPS. The same arbitral court recognized the Philippines as having valid and legal exclusive economic zone rights in the WPS. @tribunephl_tiz @tribunephl_Lade The post Phl firming up stance vs China’s new map appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
India rebuffs China’s ‘stay calm’ remarks following release of ’10-dash’ map
It is only natural for countries affected by the newly published map of China to react over the inclusion of their sovereign territories in Beijing’s ’10-dash’ map, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran said Friday. “Broadly speaking, I would say that countries should be sensitive to each other's concerns and when some actions are taken, it is natural that those affected will express their concern," Kumaran told reporters in a press briefing organized by the Indian Embassy in the Philippines. He issued the remarks after the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended its newly published map and called on countries affected by their new map to “stay objective and calm, and refrain from over-interpreting the issue.” The 2023 version of China’s Standard Map issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China on 28 August covers the exclusive economic zones of Southeast Asian claimant states in the South China Sea, prompting the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam to release strongly-worded statements against it. India also lodged a protest over the inclusion of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin plateau as official Chinese territory. For Kumaran, countries that have rejected the new map of China are just being “forthright in expressing their concerns.” “That does not in some way imply that those countries are being not so calm. I think they are being forthright in expressing their concerns,” he said. “I think countries like India and the Philippines have been quite forthright when our interests are affected, I think we could continue to be forthright,” he added. According to the Indian diplomat, India and Bangladesh were once in the position of China and the Philippines. However, India chose to adhere to international law. "You have to adhere to international law whether it goes to your favor or not. In the case of the award between India and Bangladesh, it was favorable to Bangladesh, but that did not mean India would walk away from it," he said. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration -- a landmark decision that China continues to reject. Kumaran also said that India is in solidarity with the Philippines in the recent actions of China in the South China Sea. “I would express my solidarity with the sentiment in the Philippines with regard to such efforts at what I would call ‘cartographic expansionism,’” he said. “I think it's important to state our positions and our views. I think both India and the Philippines have done that,” he added. The post India rebuffs China’s ‘stay calm’ remarks following release of ’10-dash’ map appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mla slams Beijing’s expanded SCS claim
The Department of Foreign Affairs has strongly protested China’s inclusion of the entire West Philippine Sea in the newest version of its standard map, calling it “unacceptable.” Manila, through the DFA, made this very clear to Beijing on Thursday as it rejected China’s map that depicts its new “10-dash line” claim to the entire South China Sea, including maritime zones of the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Indonesia. The map was issued by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources on 28 August, drawing protests from Malaysia and India (see related story). “This latest attempt to legitimize China’s purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones has no basis under international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the DFA said. The DFA reiterated to China that a 2016 international arbitral ruling invalidated its “nine-dash line” claim in the South China Sea and affirmed the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. This was in reference to the final judgment rendered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration on 12 July 2016. “It (decision) categorically stated that ‘maritime areas of the South China Sea encompassed by the relevant parts of the nine-dash line are contrary to the Convention and without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of China’s maritime entitlements under the Convention,’” the statement said. “The Philippines, therefore, calls on China to act responsibly and abide by its obligations under UNCLOS and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” the DFA added. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, but has not recognized the arbitral ruling. Neither did Beijing participate in the court’s proceedings. During a Malacañang press briefing, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Daniel Espiritu confirmed Manila had filed a diplomatic protest with Beijing regarding the issue. Beijing’s revised map features a sequence of 10 dashes arranged in a U-shape, encompassing not only parts of the Philippines but of self-ruled Taiwan as well as parts of the exclusive economic zones of Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Indonesia. “Suffice it to say that we have already expressed our opposition to that matter,” Espiritu told Palace reporters. “We are definitely against it, we reject it, and we continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution of disputes in that aspect,” he added. Asked how this would affect the Philippine position when Marcos meets with his Southeast Asian and Chinese counterparts during the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, Espiritu said the leaders would not complete their discussions on the matter in just one, two, or three meetings. “Progress has been made. We also expressed our profound satisfaction with recent developments in the South China Sea, particularly on the issue of the water cannoning,” Espiritu said. “We emphasized that these actions must be avoided, as they erode trust, escalate tensions in the South China Sea, and destabilize the peace and stability in the region,” Espiritu added. China’s defense For its part, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the map, saying it is “in accordance with the law.” “On 28 August, the Ministry of Natural Resources of China released the 2023 edition of the standard map. It is a routine practice in China’s exercise of sovereignty in accordance with the law,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said. Wang called on the countries affected by the new map to “stay objective and calm, and refrain from over-interpreting the issue.” Four of the 10 members of ASEAN are primary claimants to the resource-rich South China Sea — Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines. Final and binding In reaction, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the Philippines does not recognize China’s nine-dash line claim, more so its expanded 10-dash line. “The arbitral award is final and binding,” Año said. “It gives us our maritime entitlement, our extended economic zone, our territorial waters, and our extended continental shelf.” The Philippines, he said, is not alone in its rejection of the 10-dash line. India and Malaysia have also expressed their opposition to the new map. “There would be more countries, I think, to react adversely against this 10-dash line,” Año said. “Our Armed Forces, our uniformed services, our government will do everything in their capacities to ensure that we are protecting our national interest.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., meanwhile, will push for a rules-based international order and for parties to follow the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea during the upcoming 43rd Asean Summit next month, DFA Undersecretary Espiritu said on Thursday. “The Philippines will continue to uphold and exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in accordance with international law,” Espiritu added. He said Marcos is expected to have one-on-one meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão. “With Vietnam, the focus will be on strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries and, of course, cooperation on rice and food security,” he said. ‘Cancel China projects’ With Beijing’s unrelenting expansion into the SCS, Infrawatch PH convenor Terry Ridon said the government should reconsider existing and upcoming China-assisted infrastructure projects. “Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri had earlier suggested a boycott of all Chinese companies and products, including the Chinese Communication Construction Company, to protest Beijing’s continued incursion into our territory,” Ridon said. “Why not push that call up a notch and call on the Marcos administration to cancel all China-assisted infrastructure projects in the pipeline?” he added. There are presently six major infrastructure projects financed with Chinese loans, the biggest of which is the PNR South Long Haul Project, a 380-kilometer railway that will link Calamba in Laguna and Legazpi in Albay. The project, which started in 2016 and is set to be completed in 2024, has a total price tag of P175.3 billion. The post Mla slams Beijing’s expanded SCS claim appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl does not recognize China’s 10-dash line, Arbitral Award ‘final and binding’
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said that the Philippines does not recognize either the 10-dash line or the nine-dash line that China has used to claim nearly the entirety of the South China Sea. Año said this during the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict press briefing in the Presidential Guest House after China released a new map featuring 10 dashes forming a U shape to show that the entire South China Sea is supposedly part of its territory. "The Arbitral Award is final and binding," Año said, referring to the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that invalidated China's nine-dash line claim. "It gives us our maritime entitlement, our extended economic zone, our territorial waters and even our extended continental shelf," he added. Año said that the Philippines is not alone in its rejection of the 10-dash line. India and Malaysia have also expressed their opposition to the map. "There would be more countries, I think, to react adversely against this 10-dash line," Año said. The Philippines has vowed to protect its territorial integrity and national sovereignty. "Our Armed Forces, our uniformed services, our government will do everything in its capacity to ensure that we are protecting our national interest," Año said. The 10-dash line map is the latest in a series of actions by China that have raised concerns in the Philippines and other countries in the region. In recent years, China has been increasingly asserting its claims in the South China Sea, building artificial islands and deploying military forces in the disputed waters. The post Phl does not recognize China’s 10-dash line, Arbitral Award ‘final and binding’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
We are definitely against it, we reject it—DFA on China’s 2023 map
The Philippines lodged a protest against China's release of the 2023 edition of its map depicting its expanded claim in the South China Sea, with a "10-dash line" covering most of the West Philippine Sea. During the Malacañang Press Briefing, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Daniel Espiritu confirmed Manila filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing regarding the issue. For context, Beijing unveiled its revised map featuring a sequence of ten dashes arranged in a U shape earlier this week, asserting control over almost the entirety of the South China Sea as its own. This region's boundaries included parts of self-ruled Taiwan and several parts of the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Indonesia. "Suffice it to say that we have already expressed our opposition to that matter," Espiritu told Palace reporters. "We are definitely against it, we reject it, and we continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution of disputes in that aspect," he added. Asked how this would affect the upcoming position of the Philippines when Marcos meets the Southeast Asian and Chinese counterparts during the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, Espiritu said the leaders would not complete their discussions on the matter in just one, two, or three meetings. "Progress that has been made (...) we also expressed our profound satisfaction with recent developments in the South China Sea, particularly the issue of water cannoning," Espiritu said. "We emphasized that these actions must be avoided, as they erode trust, escalate tensions in the South China Sea, and destabilize the peace and stability in the region," Espiritu added. In a separate statement on Thursday, the DFA said, “(t)his latest attempt to legitimize China’s purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones has no basis under international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.” It highlighted that Beijing's claims regarding the contested waters under the former nine-dash line had been rendered void by the 2016 Arbitral Award. This ruling said the “maritime areas of the South China Sea encompassed by the relevant part of the ‘nine-dash line’ are contrary to the Convention and without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of China’s maritime entitlements under the Convention,” the department added. DFA then urged China to demonstrate responsible behavior and adhere to its responsibilities as outlined in the UNCLOS and the arbitration ruling of 2016. The post We are definitely against it, we reject it—DFA on China’s 2023 map appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl rejects China’s newest ’10-dashed line’ map
The Philippines on Thursday protested the inclusion of some of its sovereign territories on the newest version of China's standard map. The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, called out China for including the country’s maritime zones in its 2023 version of its standard map. “The Philippines rejects the 2023 version of China’s Standard Map issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China on August 28, 2023, because of its inclusion of the nine-dashed line (now a ten-dashed line) that supposedly shows China’s boundaries in the South China Sea,” the DFA said in a statement. “This latest attempt to legitimize China’s purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones has no basis under international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” it added. Earlier this week, China released its 2023 version of its standard map which also covered the western parts of the Philippine maritime zones. According to the DFA, the arbitral award, which the Philippines won in 2016, “invalidated” China’s nine-dashed line claim in the South China Sea. “It categorically stated that ‘maritime areas of the South China Sea encompassed by the relevant part of the ‘nine-dash line’ are contrary to the Convention and without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of China’s maritime entitlements under the Convention,’” the statement read. “The Philippines, therefore, calls on China to act responsibly and abide by its obligations under UNCLOS and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” it added. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration – a landmark decision that China continues to reject. Aside from the Philippines, Malaysia and India also protested against China’s newly-published map, which also included parts of disputed territories. The post Phl rejects China’s newest ’10-dashed line’ map appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP: PBBM, Australia back joint patrols in WPS
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is backing Philippine-Australia joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea as part of promoting an “open and free” Indo-Pacific Region. This was bared by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in a radio interview on Monday, noting that the plans for this endeavor are now ongoing after Marcos and the Australian government gave their approval. "Pinaplano pa rin ho natin 'yung mga detalye pero in essence ay na-aprove na po ng ating Pangulo at ng liderato ng Australia. This is to ensure na we maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, kasama po tayo dyan dahil isinisulong po natin 'yung rules-based international order (We are now planning the details, but in essence the President and the Australian leadership have already approved it, and this will be done so that we can maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. This is part of our efforts to promote a rules-based international order)," Brawner said. Both countries are currently conducting bilateral Cooperative Amphibious Serial drills also known as “Exercise ALON”, with 700 AFP personnel and 1, 200 members of the Australian Defense Force, assisted by 150 officers of United States Marine Corps, participating. In a joint statement on the sidelines of Exercise ALON released on 25 August, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles said the Philippines and Australia mutually "discussed the importance of all countries in the region exercising their agency in support of an Indo-Pacific region that is based on sovereignty, international law, and ASEAN Centrality.” Teodoro and Marles mutually agreed on the importance of all states operating safely and professionally, while respecting and adhering to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. “We reaffirmed our strong support of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award. In line with this, the Philippines and Australia have "recommitted to planning bilateral joint patrols in the South China Sea/ West Philippine Sea and other areas of mutual interest,” the joint statement further read. Brawner had previously said the Philippines is only exercising its military diplomacy when it comes to entering military-to-military activities with its allies and partners across the globe. In his previous interview, Brawner said the AFP will be exploring chances to heighten the country’s military presence in the WPS by conducting increased maritime patrols. “As of present, we are conducting such ourselves, unilateral patrols of the area. But we are exploring all possibilities because we very well know that when it comes to our own national defense, we really cannot do it by ourselves. We really have to depend on our allies, our partners,” he said. The post AFP: PBBM, Australia back joint patrols in WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Impertinent lawmaker
A leftist party-list representative, one among those who foist their nationalistic pretense, who has been critical of the previous administration’s war on drugs but couldn’t for once slam the communist rebels for their terroristic activities, and always engaged in either wrong or misleading narratives, has once again unleashed a thoughtless and unstudied declaration, poking her finger in the West Philippine Sea dispute vis-a-vis China’s claim that the Philippines had committed to removing the BRP Sierra Madre which has been aground for a long time at the Ayungin Shoal. This time she has targeted former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the latter’s alleged silence on the issue in the face of former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s, Joseph Estrada’s and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s denial of making such a commitment to China. She has cast suspicion on the former maverick President’s and the latter’s daughter’s (Vice President Sara Duterte) alleged non-issuing a denunciation statement against China’s attacking the resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre and failing to deny having made the aforementioned pledge. In the first place, there is no need to dispute China’s claim because, for one, it has not submitted proof as to the identity of a government official who made such a commitment, and on what occasion and year it was made. For another, assuming a commitment was made by whomsoever, the same could not be undertaken given that the ship in question is in Ayungin Shoal, which is within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, over which place the latter has sovereign rights under international law and the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, and therefore it can do whatever it pleases. Moreover, the arbitral ruling handed by the Permanent Arbitration Court has affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights’ claim to it while it rejected China’s expansionist claim over the West Philippine Sea — hence, any contrary claim over the use of the same or invocation of whatever commitment made in regard thereto not only has become moot if not irrelevant but — and more importantly no basis in international law. There is no need for FPRRD to issue a statement to deny or dispute China’s claim simply because as aforestated, it has not validated its allegation with any semblance of proof. Moreover, it is irrelevant at this stage owing to the arbitral award. Even if it is relevant, the denial of the existence of such commitment by no less than the current head of state is more than sufficient. Unlike this impertinent lawmaker, FPRRD abhors calling attention to himself. To require the Vice-President to issue a similar denial and a denunciation against China’s assault on the Philippine Coast Guard is redundant, with PBBM having already an official statement on the matter. The lady solon nastily insinuates that FPRRD has been sleeping with the enemy citing instances that she did not particularize forgetting that even if he has developed a friendship with China’s President, his virtual speech before the United Nations, asserting our sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea and his raising the arbitral ruling in a face-to-face dialogue with President Xi Jinping on his first state visit to China spoke eloquently of his position that he is fiercely opposed to China’s unlawful incursions on Philippine waters. This member of the Lower House has also repeated the lie started by some anti-Duterte critics that the latter has described the arbitral ruling as a mere piece of paper. For her education and others. PRRD was describing how China is treating the favorable decision by not only ignoring it but committing repeated acts of aggression against the Philippines. China is demonstrating its rejection of the international arbitral court ruling by treating it as a worthless piece of paper. In other words, it is telling the world that the Philippines may have the decision (paper) but it has control over the territory it has won in the arbitration. There is wisdom in the suggestion that she zips her lips and halt her rants and focus on legislation. The post Impertinent lawmaker appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
WPS task force: Resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre successful
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said the routine follow-on Rotation and Resupply or RoRe mission for the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin shoal was successfully conducted on Tuesday following the recent water cannon incident that heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing. “With the combined efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard, this latest RoRe mission was able to deliver fresh provisions to our military personnel stationed on board BRP Sierra Madre... notwithstanding attempts by China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels to block, harass and interfere with the supply mission," it said in a statement. The Philippine supply ships Unaizah May 1 and Unaizah May 2 were escorted by PCG vessels BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) during the mission. The National Security Council on Tuesday said the routine mission to the Philippine outposts within the various features in the WPS will also continue “on a regular basis.” These missions are part of the Philippine government’s legitimate exercise of its administrative functions over the WPS, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, the 2016 Arbitral Award, and domestic laws, it added. NTF WPS Chairperson and National Security adviser Secretary Eduardo Año commended the “unfailing valor, determination and professionalism exhibited by the men and women of our armed forces and coast guard.” “The Filipino people owe them a debt of gratitude for their commitment to place their lives on the line daily to defend our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction throughout the expanse of the WPS,” Año said. The post WPS task force: Resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre successful appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»