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Collision or ramming?
When nations compete for dominance, the concepts of fairness and sovereignty often go by the wayside. This weekend’s collision of Philippine vessels with Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea should serve as a vivid reminder of China’s aggressive expansionism in this crucial maritime region. While troubling, this incident is just part of a larger pattern of Chinese harassment of Philippine vessels within our territorial waters. China once again relied on its victim-blaming strategy, accusing the Philippines of “deliberately stirring up trouble” in an incident that the Philippine Coast Guard allegedly planned. These claims are ridiculous and unfounded, part of China’s long-running endeavor to legitimize its illegal acts in the West Philippine Sea. But regardless of Beijing’s bluster, the Philippines has the right to stand up to a neighborhood bully. Its claim to sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea is firmly rooted in the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016 ruling, which categorically rejected China’s extensive claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas that overlap with the West Philippine Sea. This landmark decision made it evident that China’s historical claims do not hold up under international law, in an area where competing claims by other countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan have sparked geopolitical concerns. Historically, the territorial irritants that have the potential to become full-blown conflicts have centered on fishing rights, oil and gas reserves, and the strategic importance of controlling these waterways. Still, unlike China’s bold territorial expansion and contempt for international jurisprudence, the Philippines’ approach is founded on the rule of law. China’s predilections extend beyond the assertion of spurious territorial claims, as it includes the unauthorized construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea. These man-made islands function as military outposts, providing China with a strategic regional advantage. Such acts are not only illegal, but they also pose a direct threat to regional peace and stability. As the Philippines struggles for its rights, exposing China’s duplicity on a global scale is critical. While China portrays itself as a rational and responsible nation in international crises such as the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the Israel-Hamas conflict, its actions in the South China Sea reflect a different face — that of a regional bully. China cannot preach peace and diplomacy while actively pursuing territorial expansion and disregarding international law when it does not support its aspirations. The collision (or was it an intentional incident of ramming by China of Philippine vessels?) near the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands is just the latest chapter in China’s unrelenting pursuit of regional supremacy. Philippine efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and defend international law merit support not only from its neighbors, but also from the world community at large. The West Philippine Sea is more than just a body of water; it represents sovereignty, justice, and the triumph of law over aggression. The Philippines’ resistance to China’s bullying is a fight for the rights of all nations that value international norms, territorial integrity, and conflict resolution through peaceful means. China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea and its disrespect for the verdict of the Permanent Court of Arbitration must be countered by the international community with the position that in the South China Sea, might does not equal right. As we consider the perilous situation in the West Philippine Sea, it’s critical to understand that this is not a one-off occurrence but part of a larger pattern. The Philippines has been subjected to constant harassment by Chinese vessels within its own waters. Filipino fishermen are being harassed, maritime resources (like coral reefs) are being pillaged, and Filipino military troops are being put in danger by Chinese warships that have no business being in Philippine waters. There can never be a repeat of the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff, which allowed China to build bases on man-made islands. As it stands resolute against China’s gunboat diplomacy, the Philippines serves as a beacon of hope for all nations confronting unjustified hostility. The Philippines’ dedication to upholding international law, maintaining its sovereignty, and defending its people’s rights is admirable. The post Collision or ramming? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Session Road transforms to ‘Little Chinatown’
BAGUIO CITY — The Association of Baguio Chinese-Filipino Youth Inc. and the local government here is set to treat the residents and the visitors of the Summer Capital of the Philippines with a Chinese touch at the famous Session Road on 7 to 8 October 2023. This is part of the celebration of the Chinese 2023 Mid-Autumn Festival and the public will witness the “Little Chinatown Crawl” and mini Dice Game at Session Road. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong in his Executive Order 138, series of 2023 allowed the closure of Session Road for two days to vehicular traffic for the staging of the Little Chinatown. Also known as the Mooncake Festival or Lantern Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional East Asian festival held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which usually falls in September or early October. “The Festival is a traditional and culturally significant celebration observed by Chinese communities around the world, including a sizable population of Filipino-Chinese in the City of Baguio,” said the mayor’s EO. The Baguio City Police Office is directed then to come up and implement a security and traffic management plan to reduce the road closure impact to the public as Session Road is a major route in the city. Meantime, the Baguio City Engineering Office is also asked to provide the manpower, equipment and devices for the closure of roads and rerouting of traffic. The post Session Road transforms to ‘Little Chinatown’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Heroes Lounge sans real lionhearts
Once upon a time, in a small town, there lived a retired soldier named Leo who devoted his life to his country, valiantly defending its citizens. He fought in countless battles, demonstrated unparalleled courage and earned the utmost respect of his fellow soldiers. Following years of dedicated service, he eventually retired and returned to his hometown, longing for a peaceful life among the people he had fiercely safeguarded. Regrettably, he discovered that the reality fell significantly short of his expectations. The residents of the town, preoccupied with their own lives and concerns, appeared to have disregarded the sacrifices made by soldiers like him. He was ignored and overlooked; his presence was almost invisible to those around him. He was perplexed at how he transitioned from being a revered hero to an unnoticed figure within his community. Leo’s experience is not unique. Numerous other soldiers, such as retired Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin, can empathize. In a Facebook post on 23 September, the 67-year-old decorated military veteran expressed his disappointment over being denied access, along with other retired generals, to a private lounge at the Tuguegarao airport because it was already occupied. “After a very fruitful trip to Isabela and Tuguegarao the past few days, I was very disappointed to find that myself and a handful of retired generals were not allowed to use the Heroes Lounge at the Tuguegarao Airport because it was reserved for these Chinese-looking individuals,” Querubin’s post read. “Are the Chinese the new heroes in this country? Definitely NOT!” To this day, Tuguegarao Airport manager Mary Sulyn Sogorsor has yet to issue a statement on the degrading incident. Is Manager Sogorsor unaware that real heroes were denied entry to the Heroes Lounge? Does she even acknowledge that Colonel Querubin, a recipient of the Medal of Valor, the highest honor bestowed upon a Filipino, was among them? Colonel Querubin played a crucial role in capturing the MILF’s strategic staging area, Camp Mack in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, in the early 2000s. Has she forgotten the services and sacrifices of the retired generals, who put themselves in immense danger for decades? Querubin, who is no stranger to brushes with death and sustained 67 battle wounds during his more than 30 years in the military service, lamented: “If they can do it to senior officers, what more to the others?” Retired soldier heroes do not deserve the indifference. Being preoccupied with their own lives is never an excuse not to acknowledge their struggles, sacrifices, and contributions. They may have proven that a hero’s spirit can prevail despite the apathy, but they should never become a symbol of forgotten heroes they who had dedicated their lives to selflessly protecting the nation. Otherwise, it is heartbreaking. The post Heroes Lounge sans real lionhearts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PCG condemns China-installed floating barrier in southeast part of Bajo de Masinloc
The Philippines has accused the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) of building a "floating barrier" that forbids Filipinos from fishing in the contested area of the West Philippine Sea. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the barrier in part of the Scarborough Shoal prevents Filipino fishing boats from entering the shoal and depriving them of their fishing and livelihood activities. Images from the region, known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines, showed Chinese boats set up and monitored several buoys and barriers arranged and protected by Chinese boats. Tarriela said the PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) personnel found the Chinese boats setting up the 300-meter-long barrier on Friday while on a "routine maritime patrol." "Three CCG's Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) and Chinese Maritime Militia's service boat installed the floating barrier upon arrival of the BFAR vessel in the vicinity of the shoal. The Filipino fishermen reported that the CCG vessels usually install floating barriers whenever they monitor many Filipino fishermen in the area," Tarriela said. He added that the BFAR vessel observed more than 50 FFBs engaged in fishing activities in the area during the routine maritime patrol. Recognizing the importance of supporting the artisanal or subsistence fishing of these fishermen, Tariella said the BFAR provided them with various grocery items and fuel subsidies to sustain their operations. However, a total of four CCG vessels, namely CCG-3065, CCG-3066, CCG-3105, and CCG-3301, initiated a series of 15 radio challenges in an attempt to drive away the BFAR vessel and FFBs. "The CCG crew alleged that the presence of the BFAR vessel and Filipino fishermen violated international law and the domestic laws of the People's Republic of China (PRC)," Tariella said. "The BFAR vessel responded to each and every radio calls and emphasized that they were carrying out a routine patrol within the territorial sea of BDM," he added. Tariella further mentioned that the CCG vessels maintained a safe distance and moved away upon realizing the presence of media personnel onboard the BFAR vessel. "The PCG will continue to work closely with all concerned government agencies to address these challenges, uphold our maritime rights and protect our maritime domains," Tarriela said. However, the Chinese embassy in Manila has yet to comment on the matter. China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, which overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. Beijing annexed the Scarborough Shoal in 2012, forcing Filipino fishermen to travel farther in search of lesser catches. During the period when bilateral ties were significantly improving under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, Beijing allowed Filipino fishermen to return to the uninhabited shoal. However, since Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his successor, gained government last year, tensions have increased once more. The post PCG condemns China-installed floating barrier in southeast part of Bajo de Masinloc appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senators seek removal of floating barrier in Bajo de Masinloc
Senators on Sunday sought the removal of the floating barrier installed by China in Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea. In separate statements, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Tolentino, called on the Philippine government to remove the floating barrier around Bajo de Masinloc, which prevents Filipino fishermen from entering the shoal for their livelihood activities. According to Zubiri, China has “no right to put any structures within our exclusive economic zone,” referring to the floating barriers allegedly installed by the Chinese Coast Guard around Bajo de Masinloc. “These structures pose a danger on passing fishing boats that can get entangled on the lines and cause considerable damage to the propellers and engines of our fisherfolk,” he said in a message to reporters on Viber. “Therefore I would like to request our Philippine Coast Guard to immediately cut and remove all these illegal structures located at our West Philippine Sea not just to assert our sovereign rights to the area but to protect our fishermen from any possible accidents that may arise from these illegal structures,” he added. The Philippine Coast Guard on early Sunday reported the presence of a floating barrier in the southern portion of Bajo de Masincloc – allegedly installed by China. The Senate chief expressed gratitude to the PCG for its “untiring ang unwavering commitment to watch and protect the areas within our Exclusive Economic Zones and Bajo de Masinloc is well within our 12NM territory.” “We in the Senate stand by our brave men and women who risk their lives for the freedoms that we enjoy today,” he said. Senator Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, echoed the Senate chief’s request on the PCG. “I agree with the removal of the floating barrier because it is not allowed to do it. It signifies a restricted zone,” Tolentino said in a separate statement on Filipino. According to him, only the Philippines is allowed to install floating barriers in emergencies such as oil spills or if its part of aquaculture management as a temporary measure. “Bajo de Masinloc is 120 nautical miles only from Zambales. Our fishermen should not be stopped by China from fishing in our fence,” he said. “China violated international law when it installed the floating barrier. It should be removed immediately. The PCG is correct in assisting our fishermen,” he added. Cruelty For her part, Hontiveros described the recent China’s act as “cruelty.” “China’s cruelty knows no bounds. They have no shame in blocking our fishermen from their own waters,” she said. “Filipino fisherfolk are among the poorest in our country. They only rely on our seas for their food and their livelihood,” she added. The opposition senator reiterated China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, particularly the recent coral destruction along Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal. “The next generation would no longer benefit from these natural resources,” she said. “We will not allow China to starve our fellow Filipinos to death. I trust that the Philippine Coast Guard can escort our fisherfolk and ensure that they pass through the floating barriers,” she added. Hontiveros renewed her call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to review the current national policy towards China. “We should no longer accept acts like this going unpunished. If we allow China’s bullying to continue, it will cost the lives of our own people,” she stressed. The Daily Tribune sought comments from the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Chinese Embassy in Manila about the developments in the West Philippine Sea, but they have yet to respond as of press time. The post Senators seek removal of floating barrier in Bajo de Masinloc appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How Hong Kong became a fencing powerhouse and cheered up a city
Hong Kong is one of the smaller Asian Games teams by population, but when it comes to fencing the city is a regional heavyweight with ambitious medal hopes. Edgar Cheung won gold at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games two years ago -- Hong Kong's first Olympic fencing title and first Olympic gold in any sport in a quarter of a century. It turned Cheung into a celebrity overnight and prompted parents across the Chinese territory of 7.5 million people to rush and sign their children up for fencing classes. Cheung's historic win in the foil competition was a much-needed dose of good news for a city mired in social unrest and pandemic gloom at the time. With more funding and public attention as a result, Cheung and his team-mates now hope to stamp their mark on the Asian Games in Hangzhou when they open on Saturday. Despite a strong record at recent editions, including eight medals in the sport in 2018, Hong Kong is yet to win fencing gold at the Asian Games. "No matter for individual or team events, I hope we can (win gold at last)," the softly spoken Cheung, 26, said. The city will have 24 fencers, 12 women and 12 men, at the Games. Another gold-medal contender is 29-year-old Vivian Kong, who is ranked number two in the world in women's epee. There is also Ryan Choi, who along with Cheung was part of the Hong Kong team that won bronze in the men's team foil at the world championships in July. Cheung said the Hong Kong team have "improved greatly" since the 2018 Games in Jakarta. The left-hander, who has recovered from a recent wrist injury, told AFP he wanted to "prove to our competitors they need to beware of us". - Pathway to success - Fencing in the city stretches back decades, to when Hong Kong was a British colony, with its amateur fencing association founded in 1949. The city had occasional success in the early 2000s, but it was the 2010 Asian Games, where Hong Kong fencers won seven medals, that first established them as a regional powerhouse. Local organisers made efforts to popularise the sport, bringing classes to schools and community hubs in the past two decades -– that is where Cheung had his first taste of fencing. Fencers also benefited from a reform to Hong Kong's pipeline for discovering and training talent which allowed Cheung to devote himself to the sport full-time when he was 17 with his parents' blessing. Cheung's final bout at the Tokyo Olympics drew hundreds of fans who crowded into a Hong Kong mall to watch the live broadcast, popping champagne corks after he emerged victorious. Days later, then-city leader Carrie Lam announced more funding for elite Hong Kong athletes, including an expansion to the fencing hall at the institute where Cheung trains. Fencing schools reported a spike in applications, although observers say interest has since tapered off somewhat. - Warning for star man - Gregory Koenig, who previously coached in his native France and also Taiwan, began working with Hong Kong's fencers five years ago and has developed a close relationship with Cheung. He had a warning for Hong Kong's star man, who has slipped to seventh in the men's foil world rankings. "When you're Olympic champion it's very hard because everybody has an eye on you and everybody's fighting hard against you," Koenig said. He said he told Cheung: "You have to understand that many people fight all their life to reach the goal you've already reached." "Okay, do you think you reached the maximum level and you want to stop here? Or are you still motivated for more?" Koenig says he told Cheung. "He told me, 'No, I really want to put my name in the history of fencing.'" hol/pst © Agence France-Presse The post How Hong Kong became a fencing powerhouse and cheered up a city appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sovereign shame
The government should recognize the possibility that Chinese workers in the country are committing espionage amid the escalating territorial friction in the West Philippine Sea. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro raised the alarm, saying employees of mainly Chinese state firms may be engaged in potential “covert economic and information activities,” including propaganda operations, to sway public opinion in favor of the mainland. Among the workers on the watchlist are “the ones hired by Beijing’s state-run enterprises involved in public infrastructure projects,” according to Teodoro. The Department of National Defense said it is looking into clandestine dealings “happening in the background.” “It’s the activities that we cannot see… that’s what alarms us,” the defense chief said. “The best way to weaken a country, rather than by an overt warlike function or disruption of [its] facilities, is really to take control of [its] internal economy, internal processes, and the like,” Teodoro pointed out. The records of Chinese migrants in the country are inadequate based on previous Senate hearings. No government agency was able to provide the Senate, for instance, with an accurate number of illegal Chinese workers, indicating that they are not being monitored. Labor agencies have also failed to keep track of how many foreign workers are in jobs that, by mandate of the Constitution, should be for Filipinos only. Under the law, foreigners are only allowed to work in jobs that require highly specialized skills and where no Filipinos are deemed competent to do them. During the Senate probe, it was also discovered that as many as 119,000 Chinese nationals who came to the country as tourists are now residents and have jobs in violation of labor regulations. Chinese tourists, through some “gainful” means, were able to obtain special work permits from the Bureau of Immigration. They now work in very diverse areas such as Metro Manila, Clark, Subic, Cagayan and Cagayan de Oro. In one of the inquiries, a Department of Labor and Employment official explained that the special permits were issued without the need for an Alien Employment Permit, or AEP, because the nature of the employment was temporary, lasting from three to six months. The loose process, thus, has allowed foreign workers to enter the country practically unbridled. Senators questioned the discrepancy between the AEPs issued and the number of Chinese workers in the country. Independent sources said that as many as 200,000 to 400,000 Chinese workers are in the country. Four different agencies issue different permits that make the situation worse. The biggest insult by China is that its propaganda work against the Philippines and other opponents in the territorial conflicts is done in this country. Facebook recently removed two networks of fake accounts that were spreading government propaganda, one originating in China and the other in the Philippines. Taken down were 155 Facebook accounts, 11 pages, nine groups and seven Instagram accounts traced to China, and 57 accounts, 31 pages and 20 Instagram accounts based in the Philippines. Such operations breach Facebook’s rules against “coordinated inauthentic behavior on behalf of a foreign or government entity.” The Chinese network used faces created through an AI technique known as GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks). Facebook was able to trace the origins of the accounts because of their visual signatures. “This form of AI is readily available online, and its use (or abuse) by covert operations has exploded in the last year,” according to a report on the social media platform. Identified were a dozen GAN-generated images from the Chinese propaganda operation. Teodoro, who has access to a wealth of information, in revealing the supposed operations being conducted by the Chinese in the country’s backyard, virtually confirmed the problem has reached alarming proportions. It would be easy for the government to keep track of foreign workers if only the appropriate agencies would resist the seduction of human smuggling. In accepting bribes to let the aliens skirt the law, these officials and functionaries have placed our national security at risk. The post Sovereign shame appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chn maritime militia actively blocking resupply mission to Ayungin — Tarriela
The Philippine Coast Guard said the country’s recent rotation and resupply mission confirmed the active participation of “Chinese maritime militia vessels” in blocking the Philippine ships en route to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said the CCM’s participation in intimidating Filipino troops was notably “covert” during the previous RoRe mission. “But for this particular resupply mission, it has been very clear that the Chinese Maritime Militia are performing an active role to block the resupply mission,” he said. Tarriela identified the four CMM vessels as Qiong Sansha Yu 00231, 00115, 00114, and 00008, accompanying four other Chinese Coast Guard ships that conducted “dangerous maneuvers” against the Philippine Navy supply boats and the PCG ships. The RoRe mission was successfully completed despite China’s blocking and intimidation. Meanwhile, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya labeled these militias as part of the so-called “China’s gray zone tactics”— a term often used by security experts to describe activities that are below the threshold of what constitutes aggression to prevent the country from using self-defense. The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier reported that more than 400 foreign fishing vessels are being monitored in the country’s exclusive economic zone within the WPS. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, foreign countries are allowed to conduct freedom of navigation and overflight operations within the EEZ. However, only the Philippines has the exclusive right to exploit all natural resources and conduct law enforcement activities in the area. While the encroachment was clear, Tarriela pointed out that it is still difficult for the country to carry out law enforcement against the maritime militia vessels. “It’s very difficult for us to categorize the Chinese fishing vessels. Are they just Chinese fishing vessels that are subject to fishery law enforcement or these are Chinese maritime militia which is part of a military establishment that can enjoy sovereign immunity,” he explained. The issue would boil down to the PCG’s capability to chase away these ships that often come in swarms, he added. Tarriela also explained that most of the time, the size of these Chinese fishing vessels or Chinese maritime militia has an overall length of at least 60 meters. “We’re talking about by 10s, 20s, 30s and we have a 44-meter coast guard vessel,” he added. Tarriela lamented that the only thing the country could do was to challenge these vessels using a radio “telling them to depart, and of course, patrolling those areas and reporting that to the NTF-WPS.” Hence, Malaya said it is critical for the Philippines to strengthen partnerships with like-minded countries and show China that “we have this network of alliances that support our position” as the rightful possessor of the WPS. “We may not have sovereignty over it, but we have the right to exploit the natural resources. We allow freedom of navigation according to international law ngunit ang puwede lang makinabang sa EEZ ay ang Pilipinas (but the only one allowed to benefit from that EEZ is the Philippines),” Malaya said. The post Chn maritime militia actively blocking resupply mission to Ayungin — Tarriela appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
On WPS conflict, ‘Trillanes cut deals’
Amid the guessing game started by China on who the unnamed President was who promised to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has pointed to a former senator as the culprit. “I haven’t heard from previous presidents that they promised to remove the Sierra Madre, but what I know is that the late President Benigno Aquino III did some backchanneling, and his backdoor agent was former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV,” Enrile said. He added: “Trillanes bypassed then Ambassador Sonia Brady in negotiating with China, and his only credential was he rode in a Philippine Navy boat when he was in the military service.” “The subject of the backchanneling was the Scarborough Shoal standoff, but Trillanes was deceived by the Chinese. The Philippine vessels withdrew from the area of the deadlock, but China stayed put,” he recalled. 2012 Senate skirmish Then-senator Enrile and Trillanes had a confrontation in September 2012 over the government’s covert negotiations with China that Aquino had assigned to Trillanes. In a face-off on the Senate floor, Enrile produced the so-called Brady notes, a report on the discussions between the ambassador and Trillanes on the backchanneling mission. During his several engagements with Chinese officials, Enrile quoted the Brady notes as saying that Trillanes indicated that Filipinos needed more interest in the conflicting claims in the region. Enrile said the Brady notes stated that Aquino was not made fully aware of the details of Trillanes’s actions, and there was a point when the President did not know the talks were suspended for two weeks and that Trillanes was acting on his own. “And for whom? Whose interest was he serving?” Enrile asked. While admitting that it was the prerogative of Aquino as Commander-in-Chief to resort to backchannel talks, designating Trillanes was a huge mistake, he said. “Trillanes should have been discreet, and he should have brought along an embassy representative to record the event. Trillanes thought he was James Bond. That should not have been allowed,” Enrile said. “A person entrusted by the President with a mission must first exercise discretion. When you go to a country to deal with a foreign power, you must notify the embassy,” he said. “Trillanes should have notified the embassy to alert them that he was there on a mission, and he should have brought along at least one responsible official,” he added. He continued: “Everybody should have known that international law already provided the way to settle the dispute, which was the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but which China did not respect.” “China based its claims not on international law but on its might. We should have a counter-balancing force,” according to Enrile. “We should not rely solely on the assistance of other nations; we should keep building up our military assets.” “We should also be prepared, and one way to do that is to require all young Filipinos to undergo training to defend the country.” “Only Filipinos can fight for their country; nobody else can do the fighting for you,” Enrile stressed. False narrative Meanwhile, China was accused of using deception in its sea maneuvers when it tried to block a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on 7 September. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, Col. Medel Aguilar, at the weekly Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, said the Philippine Navy offered to help a Chinese rubber boat in distress near Ayungin Shoal. “Our troops offered assistance, but the Chinese refused and another boat came to their rescue,” Aguilar said. He said one of the Chinese rigid hull inflatable boats had gotten entangled in a fishing line while it was tailing the Philippine vessels heading to Ayungin to resupply the troops there. Aguilar said that while the Chinese boat’s refusal to accept aid from Philippine forces was expected, what surprised the troops was Beijing’s radio call where they blamed the Filipinos for the incident. “They had the guts to challenge our radio message. ‘Philippine Coast Guard, because of your maneuvers, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel came into problem,’” he quoted the Chinese as saying. Aguilar said this was another narrative the Chinese would tell their people. “After this incident, they will come up with their narrative to tell their people about what happened,” Aguilar said. “We don’t want the truth to be drowned out by what really happened,” he added. Misplaced bullying Aguilar described the China Coast Guard’s behavior as “misplaced bullying” amid its continued aggression in Philippine territorial waters. “The CCG is a misplaced bully in the WPS,” Aguilar said. Meanwhile, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson, said several CCG ships and maritime militia vessels tried to block the Philippine vessels and stop the resupply mission. “It is very important for the government, for us, to be more transparent about what is happening in the West Philippine Sea,” he said. “We face the media; we give them the true story. The media will play a very important role in curtailing this fake news that spreads every time the Chinese release their narratives.” He said China has been pushing the narrative that the Philippines is acting on behalf of the United States. Ayungin Shoal, which is part of the Kalayaan island group, is an integral part of the Philippines and is well within its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, over which the country has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. The BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded on Ayungin Shoal since 1999, where it stands as a symbol of Philippine sovereignty and on which a dozen Filipino Marines and sailors are holding the fort. The post On WPS conflict, ‘Trillanes cut deals’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
23 POGO workers plead not guilty
The 23 individuals allegedly involved in the illegal operations of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator yesterday pleaded not guilty before a Pasay court during their arraignment. The POGO workers were charged before the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 111 of violating Republic Act 8799 or the Securities Regulation Code in relation to RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Atty. Gloria Quintos, legal counsel of the POGO workers, said her 18 clients were not allowed to be at the court thus the conduct of a video conference was held for them. Other respondents in the said case asked for the deferment of their arraignment while they were securing an accredited interpreter. The lady lawyer said the next hearing is scheduled by the Pasay City RTC on Wednesday, 6 September. The Department of Justice, in recommending the filing of the charges, said the National Bureau of Investigation uncovered compelling evidence that the POGO is involved in “fraudulent activities, particularly in the realms of tasking and recharging scams.” The missing Chinese according to Quintos has yet to be found. Last week, the Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano said a tracker team had been formed to search for the missing Chinese national. “Quintos on the other hand said her missing client is not around as he cannot be located before the arraignment was held and they could not establish communication after the time that he was missing.” Even the NBI according to Quintos also has no information on the whereabouts of her client. The post 23 POGO workers plead not guilty appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Free’ by any other name
Malaysia’s history is said to have started from the Sultanate of Malacca around 1400 AD. At the time of its glory, the sultanate territories covered most of the east coast of peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. Malacca emerged as a glorious government because of its strategic location: the meeting point between East Asia and the Middle East. This situation allowed Malacca to emerge as a major trading center for spice trade, especially in Southeast Asia. Islam was the main religion that emerged and became the main religion of the residents because the ruler himself had professed it. In 1511, Malacca fell into the hands of the Portuguese — the beginning of the colonial era in Malaya. Malaya then fell into the hands of the Dutch in 1641 and British in 1824. The British had integrated all the Malayan administration, previously managed by the Malay rulers with the help of state dignitaries. The British intervention had aroused dissatisfaction among the local population. Some individuals rose against their conquerors, a resistance easily defeated by the British. Among the heroes that went against the colonialists were Dol Said, Tok Janggut, Datuk Bahaman, Rentap, Dato Maharajalela, Rosli Dobi. During the 1920s and 1930s, many residents of Malaya had started to receive education, either from the Middle East or local education. The educated group had appeared to fight in the name of nationalism through media to spread their ideology. Some formed associations, such as the Kesatuan Melayu Muda and Kesatuan Melayu Singapura to drive away the invaders and form their own government. When the people were so eager to end the invasion, they were jolted by the Japanese landing at the end of 1941, which brought Malaya to another colonial era. Japan had occupied Malaya until 1945. Japanese resignation has given space to the Communist Party of Malaya to control the country. PKM waged violence, murdering three European rubber farm managers in Sungai Siput, Perak. Thus, in June 1948, Sir Edward Gent, the first appointed governor of the Malayan Gent concurrent with the formation of the Malayan Union, declared emergency over Malaya. PKM did not succeed to take over Malaya. The Malays resisted the establishment of the Malayan Union in 1946 as it abolished the royal institutions and several Malay privileges. The emergence of Tunku Abdul Rahman had given a silver lining to the struggle of the Malayan nationalists when he formed the Alliance Party, which opened the eyes of the British to allow the Malayans to govern their own country. The unity between the three major ethnic groups namely Malays, Chinese and Indians led to the London Agreement that was signed on 8 February 1956 and had given signs that Malaya will achieve independence in August 1957. Upon returning from London, Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-haj made a declaration of independence of Malaya in Melaka in February 1956. In May 1961, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj suggested the merger of five colonies namely the Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei to form a new country. On 3 July 1963, representatives of the British government, Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore (except Brunei) were unanimous that the matter cannot be avoided. The Federation of Malaya Agreement was signed by the representatives of the British government, the Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore to form Malaysia on the 31st of August. The desire to form a state called Malaysia is achieved on 16 September 1963. The post ‘Free’ by any other name appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CA confirms Brawner, 29 military officers
The Commission on Appointments, led by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, confirmed Wednesday the ad interim appointment of Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of four-star general and the nomination of other 29 generals, flag officers, and senior military officers. Zubiri lauded the soldiers for their loyalty to the Philippine flag and their willingness to make sacrifices for the country. “Once again, you are the vanguards of democracy in our country. We cannot have hearings today, we cannot have these institutions in place without the brave men and women of the Armed Forces,” Zubiri said. During the bicameral CA deliberation of his appointment, Brawner vowed the AFP military officials are ready to defend and protect the country and Filipino people against any security threats. Senator Risa Hontiveros started the deliberation by asking Brawner about his primary objectives intended to be accomplished through the AFP's revolving door policy and Republic Act 11939. Brawner responded by enumerating his priority thrusts for the armed forces embodied in an acronym U.N.I.T.Y, which stands for unification, normalization, territorial defense, internal security operations and youth programs. Brawner said the AFP will focus on the the normalization of the Bangsamoro region, particularly the decommissioning, disarmament and reintegration of the former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. “Now that we believe that we are winding down with our internal security operations, we will have to sustain the gains that we had,” he added. Brawner also noted that the AFP will have to recalibrate its doctrines, training and the entire organization in order to be able to cope with the demands of defending the country’s territory. The AFP, he added, will focus on developing the Filipino youth through programs such as the revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Brawner said the AFP will make sure that those who will handle the ROTC activities “are prepared and are professional” to prevent a repeat of abuses, including grades for sale, hazing and maltreatment of students. “We are anticipating the passing of that bill for the mandatory ROTC. Naghahanda na po ang inyong armed forces and we want to make sure that we will not repeat the mistakes that we had, the abuses that happened during the past when we had the ROTC program,” he said. On sending military officers to China Meanwhile, Senator Francis Tolentino scrutinized the AFP’s engagements with China, particularly the sending of senior officials and cadets to Chinese military schools. Brawner explained that the Philippines’ military-to-military relationship with China is covered by a memorandum of agreement on Defense Cooperation that was forged in 2004. “That is why we are allowed to send officers to China to study and vice versa, they are sent here because we find value in sending our officers abroad not just to China but in fact to so many countries in order for them to train and to bring back the knowledge that they gain so that we can learn from them and probably apply the best practices that they are applying in other countries,” he said. However, Brawner noted that the AFP is currently studying the revisitation of the memorandum following the blocking and water cannon actions by Chinese vessels against Philippine ships last 5 August in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. “I ordered the temporary stop to sending officers to China. Just last week there was a communication, an invitation from China for us to send cadets to China to join a conference of cadets from all over the world,” he said. Tolentino urged Brawner to provide updates on the results of the study. Senator Imee Marcos also pushed for the local production and procurement of firearms and equipment for the AFP to lessen the country's dependence on foreign suppliers for its national defense. Brawner said the AFP is eyeing the revival of the country’s Self-Reliant Defense Posture program. Meanwhile, the number of military personnel filing for early retirement has increased due to the bill on the reform of the pension system for military and uniformed personnel. "Tumaas po 'yung nagfa-file ng early retirement dahil nga po they are anticipating na kapag lumabas yung batas, 'yung unang version po, they are basing it on the early versions (The number of personnel filing for early retirement increased because they are anticipating the law on the reform of the MUP pension system. They are basing it on the early version),” the AFP chief. "Gusto nila na mapaloob pa sila sa lumang sistema (They want to be covered by the old system). They want to avail of the old system wherein they will receive one-rank higher pay when they retire and indexation,” he added. However, Brawner said there is no cause for concern as many Filipinos are willing to join and apply for the AFP service. "The alarming situation would be 'yung mawawala po 'yung ating senior non-commissioned officers. So kung puro bata naman yung ating Armed Forces, it will not be a healthy organization (The alarming situation would be when our senior non-commissioned officers leave the AFP. So we will be left with mostly young personnel, it will not be a healthy organization),” Brawner said, noting that the military organization also needs the leadership of its non-commissioned officers. According to Brawner, he already advised AFP personnel “to just wait for the final version of the law before making a decision on their retirement.” He added that soldiers are always willing to sacrifice a portion of their pay for the country's benefit. Brawner stressed the Department of National Defense has developed a plan that would enable the AFP to generate pension funds, including utilizing available real estate assets. The post CA confirms Brawner, 29 military officers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP eyes review of 2004 Phl-China defense cooperation agreement
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is considering the review of the country’s military engagement with the Chinese government amid increasing tensions in parts of the West Philippine Sea, military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Wednesday This came after Senator Francis Tolentino scrutinized the AFP’s engagements with China, particularly the sending of senior officials and cadets to Chinese military schools. Brawner explained that the Philippines’ military-to-military relationship with China is covered by a memorandum of agreement on Defense Cooperation that was forged in 2004. He clarified that it was an exchange program designed to fostered stronger military relations between the two countries. “That is why we are allowed to send officers to China to study and vice versa, they are sent here because we find value in sending our officers abroad not just to China, but in fact to so many countries in order for them to train and to bring back the knowledge that they gain so that we can learn from them and probably apply the best practices that they are applying in other countries,” he said. However, Brawner noted that the AFP is currently studying the revisitation of the memorandum, following the blocking and water cannon action by Chinese vessels against Philippine ships last 5 August in Ayungin shoal in WPS. “I ordered the temporary stoppage of sending officers to China. In fact, just last week there was a communication, an invitation from China for us to send cadets to China to join a conference of cadets from all over the world,” he said. Tolentino urged Brawner to provide him with updates on the results of the study once completed. The post AFP eyes review of 2004 Phl-China defense cooperation agreement appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
N. Korea reopens its borders to citizens living abroad: KCNA
North Korea has moved to further open up from strict pandemic-era isolation, with state media reporting Sunday that citizens living abroad have been allowed to reenter the country. State-run KCNA said that the State Emergency Epidemic Prevention Headquarters had announced that "citizens abroad have been allowed to return home". "Those returned will be put under proper medical observation at quarantine wards for a week," the report said. It added that the decision had been made "in reference to the eased worldwide pandemic situation." North Korea shut its borders in early 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but there have been increasing signals the country has moved towards reopening. Chinese and Russian officials attended a military parade in Pyongyang last month -- the first foreign dignitaries to visit the country in years. Last week a delegation of athletes was allowed to attend a taekwondo competition in Kazakhstan, while state-run Air Koryo made its first international commercial flight in three years. The flight arrived Tuesday morning at Beijing's Capital Airport, with AFP reporters only seeing two North Koreans -- recognizable by their distinctive badges bearing the faces of former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il -- come through the arrival gate. Neither spoke to media. Another Air Koryo flight bound for Pyongyang departed just after 1:00 p.m., a tracking website showed. The Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency published photos of a number of North Koreans lining up to check luggage for that flight. Asked about the flights, China's foreign ministry said that it had approved restarting commercial air travel between Beijing and Pyongyang. "During the summer and autumn flight season... the Chinese side approved flight plans for passengers such as the Pyongyang-Beijing and Beijing-Pyongyang routes of Air Koryo," foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing on Monday. des/nro © Agence France-Presse The post N. Korea reopens its borders to citizens living abroad: KCNA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dela Rosa on China ‘allowing’ resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal: ‘Who are they?’
The Philippines does not need China’s approval to operate within its territorial waters, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said. In a chance interview with reporters, Dela Rosa questioned China’s recent claims that the successful rotation and resupply mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin shoal was allowed only due to the Chinese’s “humanitarian consideration.” “Sino sila? Sino sila para mag-a-approve kung anong dadalhin natin doon para sa ating outpost, para sa ating mga sundalo doon sa outpost? Bakit nila tayo pigilan kung anong gusto nating dalhin? (Who are they? Who are they to approve our operation for our outpost, whatever we want to bring to our soldiers in our outpost? Why should they stop us from what we want to bring there?).” In a television interview, National Task Force for the WPS spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela denied China’s claims that it has extended humanitarian consideration to the Philippines. “That’s not true that they have allowed the path of the supply boasts to enter Ayungin shoal. Even the supply boast that we are using to deliver the supplies was blocked and intercepted by the Chinese Coast Guard vessels. So it’s not true, they are lying when they said that they are extending humanitarian consideration,” Tarriela stressed. Tarriela described the recent RoRe mission as “not a walk in the park” as China again threatened the Philippines with its usual aggressive tactics. CCG ships and other China militia vessels attempted to obstruct the Philippine resupply boats delivering fresh provisions to the military personnel stationed on BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal last 22 August. China vessels also reactivated their water cannons during the RoRe mission. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said they are now looking into other strategies for the future resupply mission in the area. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa lamented that China’s recent blockage attempts against Philippine vessels serve as an “advancement of their own position.” “Gusto nila talaga na masira iyong barko nating Sierra Madre para ‘pag masira na ‘yan, magiba, wala na tayong matitirahan at sila na ang papalit sa atin, aagawin na nila ‘yan (They really want ship Sierra Madre to be totally destroyed so that they can positioned themselves when we will have no place to live and they will replace us, they will seize it),” he said. On the other hand, Senator Raffy Tulfo recommended to the AFP and the Department of the National Defense to allow the Philippine Coast Guard to conduct a joint military operation involving a resupply mission with the United States Navy to drive away the CCG trying to block the country’s sovereign rights over the WPS. The post Dela Rosa on China ‘allowing’ resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal: ‘Who are they?’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Malaysia’s Anwar thwarts opposition challenge in state polls
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's ruling coalition thwarted a challenge by an opposition alliance in state elections, official results showed Sunday, with analysts saying the win would buy him time to consolidate power in the largely Islamic Southeast Asian nation. Saturday's vote in six states had been the toughest political challenge yet to Anwar, who was appointed prime minister in November last year to head a unity government after an indecisive general election. The election of state assembly members does not affect Anwar's current two-thirds majority in parliament. It was, however, widely seen as a barometer of support for Anwar, including his push for a more inclusive society in which minority ethnicities could be allowed greater participation in the largely Malay Muslim nation, which also has large Chinese and Indian populations. Results released by the Election Commission showed that Anwar's Pakatan Harapan coalition retained three states: Selangor, Penang, and Negeri Sembilan. The opposition alliance Perikatan Nasional -- whose key member the PAS party aims to create a theocratic state in Malaysia -- kept its hold on Kedah, Terengganu, and Kelantan. Retaining Selangor, which hosts the country’s biggest port, and Penang, home to Malaysia’s thriving semiconductor industry, are prized wins for Anwar, analysts said. The ruling coalition, however, lost its two-thirds majority in Selangor, as the opposition made strong inroads. Perikatan is backed by the Malaysian Islamic Party, or PAS, whose strong performance in last year’s general elections had sparked ruling party concerns it could spring a surprise and flip one or two states to the opposition. "This is a decision of the people. We have to respect this decision," Anwar said of the results at a late-night press conference as he also appealed for unity after a divisive campaign. "The federal government remains strong after this poll and we will continue to promote a prosperous Malaysia," he added. Oh Ei Sun of the Pacific Research Center of Malaysia think tank said "it was a nail-biting win for Anwar after he thwarted the challenge from the powerful Islamic party PAS". Bridget Welsh, a Malaysia expert from the University of Nottingham, said retaining the three states was a "victory for Anwar" as "he had gone into this campaign defensively". "It was in many ways a stress reliever for Anwar not to be confronted with any major political shifts that could alter the status quo," said Mustafa Izzuddin, a political analyst with consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore. But the outcome was also a disappointment in that "his coalition did not make much significant inroads" at the polls, he told AFP. Anwar "has more than enough time" before the 2027 general elections "to shore up support including the complex political bargaining that may need to happen within the coalition", according to Mustafa. No guarantee James Chin, a Malaysia expert at the University of Tasmania in Australia, had warned earlier Saturday of "dire" consequences if Anwar lost even a single state, including shifting allegiances that could have threatened his future as prime minister. Anwar became prime minister last November after a long struggle as an opposition leader. His party had won the most seats in the general election but fell short of the outright majority needed to form a government. That forced him into an alliance with former foes in the United Malays National Organisation to secure a two-thirds parliamentary majority and approval from Malaysia's king to form a "unity government". The coalition has so far held together in a country that had seen three leadership turnovers in as many years after scandal-tainted Najib Razak was voted out as prime minister in 2018 over massive corruption at state fund 1MDB. But Oh, the analyst, said Anwar "must remain vigilant" even as he pushes for reforms. "There is no guarantee that his government will stay until the next general elections," he said. The post Malaysia’s Anwar thwarts opposition challenge in state polls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Banning POGOs will reduce industry-related crimes
Criminal activities attributed to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators could have been stopped if the government agreed to permanently ban the gaming industry’s operations in the country, according to Senator Win Gatchalian. Gatchalian described the proliferation of POGO-related crimes in the Philippines as an “alarming” issue. He said illegal activities related to POGOs are likely to expand “unless the gaming industry will be permanently wiped out of the country.” The senator recalled the recent police operation against an online scam operator, wherein 28,000 registered sim cards were confiscated in a POGO facility in Pasay City. Gatchalian lambasted the massive involvement of the POGO operators in online scamming activities. “The confiscation of registered SIM cards indicates that POGOs are heavily entrenched in online scams, possibly victimizing hapless individuals both here and abroad,” he said. Citing a report from the Philippine National Police, Gatchalian said a total of 4,355 individuals became victims of POGO-related criminalities from January 2017 to June 30 this year, with 903 persons tagged as “perpetrators.” Among these documented POGO-related crimes include human trafficking, forcible abduction, homicide, illegal detention, kidnap-for-ransom, theft, robbery-extortion, serious physical injuries, swindling, and grave coercion. Of the total number of perpetrators, about 793 were Chinese nationals and have pending criminal cases. “Criminal activities involving POGOs are likely to worsen if the POGO industry is allowed to continue operating in the country. As much as we dread that situation, that possibility is not difficult to imagine. This should prompt all of us to take a stand against POGOs,” Gatchalian said. Hence, Gatchalian filed a Senate resolution seeking to investigate the growing involvement of accredited POGO operations in the accounted crimes in the country. Senator Raffy Tulfo previously criticized the lack of coordination between law enforcement, immigration officers, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and labor agencies in addressing issues related to POGO operations Tulfo underscored the need to assess the effectiveness of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation in fulfilling its regulatory mandate, as well as ensuring proper coordination with other concerned agencies and protecting the rights and welfare of POGO workers. The post Banning POGOs will reduce industry-related crimes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CA orders release of 4 Chinese nabbed in POGO Las Piñas raid
The Court of Appeals ordered the release of four Chinese nationals arrested in a police raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) in Las Piñas City on 27 June. The raid was conducted by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cyber Crime Group (PNP-ACG). Covered by the CA’s 10th Division order dated 28 July 2023 were Ang Chin Keong, Choo Jun Cheng, Choo Wei Jazz, and a certain "Edy". Lawyer Jocel Isidro Dilag filed the petition for the issuance of the writ of habeas corpus on behalf of the four foreign nationals. A writ of habeas corpus “is a writ directed to a person detaining another, commanding the former to produce the body of the latter at a designated time and place.” It extends “to all cases of illegal and arbitrary detention by which any person is deprived of his liberty.” “We have examined into the cause of caption and restraint of Keong, et al., and we are satisfied that they are unlawfully restrained. The totality of the circumstances show that Keong, et al, were unlawfully restrained,” the CA said in an 18-page decision penned by Associate Justice Rex Bernard Pascual. “The PNP, through P/BGen Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., P/BGen Sidney S. Hernia, PCol. Atty. Arvie A. Paraon-Bueno, PCol. Atty. Nova De Castro, and all those acting under their instructions and command, including those who may have taken actual, legal, and/or constructive custody of Keong, et al., are ordered to immediately discharge and/or release from any custody, detention, confinement, or other restraint which is currently undertaken at Hong Tai Compound, 501 Alabang Zapote Road, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City,” the CA added. Named respondents in the petition for the writ of habeas corpus are Nartatez, regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and Hernia, director of the PNP-ACG. The four petitioners were among the more than 2,700 individuals, including 600 Chinese, 180 Vietnamese, 140 Indonesian, 130 Malaysian nationals, and Filipinos, who were detained at the premises of the Hong Tai Compound, a mixed-use facility for residential and commercial purposes, situated along Alabang Zapote Road, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City. They claimed that a large part of the Filipino group had already been released by the respondents, while foreigners, including Keong’s group, are still detained in their respective rooms “against their will, without any running water and food rations”. Also, the petitioners claimed they were even required to get the respondents’ permission just to gain access to a working toilet or buy potable water from the compound’s convenience store. The PNP-ACG on the other hand defended the raid and told the CA that the foreign nationals were not allowed to leave the premises being potential victims of human trafficking. The respondents noted that most of them are with expired passports, no working visas, or minors, whose passports are captured by the employer POGO facility. The PNP-ACG said they had already referred the foreign nationals to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assessment as potential trafficking victims. But in siding with the petitioners, the Court took into consideration the failure of the PNP to present a copy of the search warrants used as the basis for conducting the raid. The CA noted, “The fact that no search warrants were presented by the PNP would show that the warrants are adverse to it. Section 3 (e), Rule 131 of the Revised Rules on Evidence provides that evidence willfully suppressed would be adverse if produced, unless contradicted and overcome by other evidence.” It further held that "no judicial process was presented to the Court by the PNP to allow for the continued detention of Keong et al." Also, it said even the purported protective custody of Keong, et. al., does not justify their continued restraint. While the PNP cited the Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 as the process to secure and restrict the movement of the said foreign nationals who are possible victims of human trafficking, the appellate court held that the absence of the latter's consent is "fatal to their continued detention." The post CA orders release of 4 Chinese nabbed in POGO Las Piñas raid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teodoro scores EDCA ‘paranoia’
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday said the “proximity” of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA, sites to Taiwan may be considered a mere “geographical accident.” Teodoro said the locations of the sites that would host American military forces were chosen with the country’s national interest in mind. “You know, what if its proximity to Taiwan is a geographical accident, and other people are paranoid about it — it’s their problem,” the Defense chief told reporters in Cagayan, which hosts two new EDCA sites. “For me, my concern is the Philippine national interest and national security and we will have to put bases, not necessarily EDCA, throughout our archipelago,” he said. Teodoro was at the Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan, a new EDCA site, accompanied by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. The other EDCA site in the province is in the town of Sta. Ana. Some geopolitical experts pointed out most of the new EDCA sites face the South China Sea so that American forces could easily respond to any Chinese aggression or invasion of Taiwan. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, had said he would not allow the Philippines to serve as a staging ground for any attack on another nation. “We have to protect that. The paranoia of other people may be, rightly so, taken into consideration, but national security is paramount in this country,” Teodoro said. Teodoro emphasized that the Philippines is not allowed by its Constitution to wage war or take any offensive action. The post Teodoro scores EDCA ‘paranoia’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Conflict evolves
A new form of the Cold War that started in the 1950s is playing out in the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea that the mainland has claimed as historically part of its territory. A 2016 award of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, or PCA, invalidated the historic claim. China, however, said it does not recognize the ruling and it will only accede to bilateral discussions on the maritime conflict. United States security officials have laid out a scenario of heightened posturing in the WPS that is being referred to as the gray zone conflict in which China’s aggressiveness is expected to heighten short of an actual armed conflict. Geopolitical experts said the evolving military relations of the United States and the Philippines are geared toward the WPS developments. In May 2023, new bilateral defense guidelines were issued to clarify the conditions under which American forces would come to the aid of their Philippine counterparts under the terms of the Mutual Defense Treaty. The guidelines marked a change in American policy in the South China Sea from “scrupulous noninvolvement” to one that seems focused on deterring provocative Chinese actions in “gray zone” scenarios, according to Felix Chang, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and the chief operating officer of DecisionQ, an artificial intelligence engineering company. He said the Philippines had long sought a clarification of America’s obligations but Washington was reluctant to give it. The US government’s previous concern was that Manila might use the mutual defense treaty as leverage to advance its maritime and territorial claims against its neighbors in the South China Sea, potentially drawing the United States into confrontations with them, most notably China. The recent American policy shift in the South China Sea, however, follows others that have occurred over the last decade. The major factors that paved the way for the new bilateral defense guidelines have been Manila’s continued commitment to rebuilding its external defense capabilities and Washington’s growing perception of China as a strategic adversary. In the event of an attack, given that the Philippines and the United States share a long-standing mutual defense treaty, American forces would be obliged to come to the country’s aid if the attack occurred in recognized Philippine territorial waters. “But until Manila and Washington issued new bilateral defense guidelines in May 2023, it was unclear what America’s obligations would be if the attack occurred in disputed waters or against non-military Philippine government vessels, like those of its coast guard. Such circumstances were considered ‘gray-zone’ scenarios,” Chang indicated. The newly issued bilateral defense guidelines that were hammered out during the recent state visit of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. cleared up the ambiguity. They also marked a change in American policy in the WPS from “scrupulous noninvolvement” to one that seems focused on deterrence. Chang indicated that for the Philippines, the change could not have come soon enough with China’s increasingly aggressive efforts to assert its sovereignty over the waters within its “nine-dash line.” Barack Obama’s administration was the first to take a slightly firmer stance on the WPS. Then, Chang said, American policy took on a more defiant tone under President Donald Trump, who formally rejected China’s “nine-dash line” claim. And with relations between China and the United States deteriorating further during the early years of the Biden White House, not to mention continued Chinese assertiveness in Southeast Asia, Washington had become open to clarifying the terms of its MDT with Manila. President Marcos visited Washington in May 2023, he was able to secure what his predecessors had not: a clarification of America’s obligations in “gray-zone” scenarios. Chang added the main reason for Washington’s opaque posture had been Manila’s longtime neglect of its external defense capabilities. The Philippines, which at one time fielded one of Asia’s largest and most modern armed forces, had allowed its navy to dwindle to four offshore patrol boats and its air force to mothball its last jet aircraft in 2005, he said. President Marcos’ recent talks with President Joe Biden was all about restoring equilibrium in the disputed seas. The post Conflict evolves appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»