Diplomatic protest vs China coast guard law won t affect vax procurement — Palace
The Philippines' diplomatic protest against a law that allows the Chinese coast guard to fire on foreign vessels won't affect the purchase of China-made COVID-19 vaccines, Malacañang said Thursday......»»
Philippines lodges strong protest with China over water cannon attack in disputed South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): In the wake of accusation by the Philippines that the Chinese Coast Guard wounded three of its soldiers during a water cannon attack in the disputed South China Sea, Manila on Monday summoned Beijing's envoy to lodge its strong protest, Al Jazeera reported. The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, in a statement said that Manila conveyed its "strong protest against the aggressiv.....»»
DFA summons Chinese envoy over latest sea confrontation
The DFA said in a statement that the agency summoned the chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy to protest “aggressive actions” by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia against a civilian boat supplying troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. .....»»
Indian Coast Guard ship docks at Manila port amid tensions in South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): Amid tensions in the South China Sea, the Indian Coast Guard ship, Samudra Paheredar docked at the Manila Bay in the Philippines as part of a broader initiative aimed at demonstrating ICG Marine Pollution Response capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in an official release on Tuesday. The ICG ship which arrived at the port on Monday, is on an overseas deployment to ASEAN c.....»»
US condemns China’s latest aggression in WPS
The Philippines reported on Saturday that the Chinese Coast Guard blocked and damaged a Filipino supply boat with water cannons while it was on its way to Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), causing injuries to personnel onboard......»»
China Coast Guard water-cannons anew Ayungin-bound civilian Philippine boat
A China Coast Guard vessel again blasted a Filipino supply boat with water cannons during the latter's attempt to bring much needed supplies to soldiers stationed at the Ayungin (Scarborough) Shoal......»»
WPS tension: Chinese vessel blocks PH research ship
A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel again made “dangerous maneuvers” on Thursday and tried to block a Philippine fishery vessel carrying marine scientists conducting research in the West Philippine Sea or WPS. Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the WPS, told a press briefing on Friday that CCG vessel 5204 crossed the.....»»
Teodoro: Phl ‘not provoking trouble’ in Scarborough Shoal; ‘We are just reacting’
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday clarified that the Philippines is not provoking any trouble in Scarborough shoal as accused by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Wenbin. “Sila po ang nagpo-provoke. Hindi naman ho tayo (They are the ones provoking. It’s not us),” Teodoro said during the Senate’s public hearing on the Proposed 2024 national expenditure program of the Department of National Defense and attached agencies. During the hearing, Senator Robinhood Padilla asked Teodoro’s response to Wang’s recent advice to the Philippines “not to stir up trouble” in Huangyan Island—the Chinese name for Scarborough shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc. “Sino po ba talaga ang nagpo-provoke? Sila o Tayo? (Who is really provoking? Is it them or us?” Padilla asked. Teodoro denied any provocation from the Philippines, saying the country is only "reacting to China’s actions” against Filipinos who just wanted to enter their traditional fishing ground in the Bajo de Masinloc. “Hindi po tayo ang nagpo-provoke sa kanila. Ang ginagawa lang po natin… nagre-react lang tayo sa ginagawa po nila. Sila po ang nangunguna, sila po ang humaharang ng ating mangingisda, sila po ang naglagay ng barrier doon sa Scarborough (We are not provoking them. What we are doing is that... we are just reacting to their actions. They are ones provoking, they are blocking our fishermen, they put up barrier in Scarborough shoal)," Teodoro lamented. Wang on Tuesday warned the Philippines not to “provoke or stir up trouble” after the Philippine Coast Guard removed a 300-meter-long floating barrier installed by the Chinese Coast Guard in the southeast entrance of Bajo de Masinloc. The Chinese official admitted that the floating barrier is intended to "block and drive away” Filipino boats and fishermen from entering the shoal. As the PCG entered and removed the floating barrier, Wang accused the Philippines of intruding shoal “without China’s permission.” The PCG said it removed the "hazardous" barrier upon the instructions of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, who heads the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea. Meanwhile, Teodoro maintained that the shoal has been a “traditional fishing ground” for Filipino fishermen over the years. "If it triggers something from China, it is just proving that it really has total disregard for maritime safety," he said, noting that Filipinos should benefit from the rich marine resources of the Philippine territory. The defense chief also noted that the Armed Forces of the Philippines has already removed the thought of provocation since disputed waters “is legally owned by the Philippines under the international law.” Padilla asked about Marcos' order to the National Security Council to "civilianize the approach" in the WPS. Teodoro said: “Kami po ay hindi tutol sa pag-uusap. Kailangan po ng diplomasya dito. Ngunit dapat sang-ayon po ito sa prinsipyadong pag-uusap (We actually support diplomatic dialogue because it is needed. But it should be in accordance with the principled conversation)—open and transparent." Teodoro underscored that the defense sector and the AFP firmly support the government’s whole-of-nation approach in confronting maritime challenges in the country. He pointed out that there’s a need to strengthen the armed forces and prepare the country for possible circumstances that would affect the country’s sovereign rights over its territorial waters. “Sa panig po natin, nakikita natin itong West Philippine Sea po ang focus. Kapag hindi po natin pinatatag ang ating sandatahang lakas baka naman po sa Philippine Rise mangyari, baka maunahan po tayo. Kaya po dapat unahan na natin (In our side, we are focusing on the West Philippine Sea. If we don’t strengthen our armed forces, it may happen in the Philippine Rise, they might get ahead of us. That’s why we should prepare),” Teodoro stressed. The post Teodoro: Phl ‘not provoking trouble’ in Scarborough Shoal; ‘We are just reacting’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chinese blockade on Taiwan would be ‘monster risk’: Pentagon
A Chinese blockade on the island democracy of Taiwan would be a "monster risk" for Beijing and likely to fail, while a military invasion would be extremely difficult, senior Pentagon officials told Congress Tuesday. Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory, vowing to seize it one day, and officials in Washington -- a key ally of Taipei -- have cited 2027 as a possible timeline for an invasion. The growing worries come as China has ramped up military pressures on Taiwan, holding large-scale wargames simulating a blockade on the island, while conducting near-daily warplane incursions and sending Chinese vessels around its waters. Ely Ratner, the Pentagon's assistant defense secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, said a blockade would be "a monster risk for the PRC (People's Republic of China)," referring to China by its official name. "It would likely not succeed, and it would be a huge risk of escalation for the PRC, where it would likely have to consider whether or not it was willing to ultimately start attacking commercial maritime vessels," Ratner told the House Armed Services Committee. "A blockade would be devastating to the international community and would likely induce the broad-based wide deep response from the international community... that Beijing would likely be trying to avoid," he said. He was echoed by Army Major General Joseph McGee, a vice director of the Joint Staff. "It is an option but it is probably not a highly likely military option... It is much easier to talk about a blockade than actually do a blockade," McGee said. He also pointed to island's mountainous terrain and the Taiwan Strait waterway separating it from mainland China, saying "there is absolutely nothing easy about a PLA (People's Liberation Army) invasion of Taiwan." "They would have to mass tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of troops on the eastern coast and that would be a clear signal," McGee said, adding that combined amphibious and airborne air assault operations would be "an extremely complicated joint operation." "That would leave them in that (Taiwan Strait) gap, 90 to 100 miles -- that would lead them susceptible to all the fire that could be brought to an invading force that was already telegraphing their intentions." China's latest massive show of force came Monday when Beijing sent more than 100 warplanes in 24 hours around the island, prompting Taipei to decry the "destructive unilateral actions." Also during Tuesday's hearing, Mira Resnick, a deputy assistant secretary at the State Department, warned a US government shutdown could affect foreign weapons sales and licenses to its allies, including Taiwan. "This is something we would like to avoid," Resnick said. Her comments come as the United States is less than two weeks from a potential government shutdown, as lawmakers struggle to agree on a short-term spending bill -- an impasse that could also have repercussions on military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The post Chinese blockade on Taiwan would be ‘monster risk’: Pentagon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Disguised military force
Wrongheadedly asserting outdated notions about the China Coast Guard or CCG show us exactly why some sitting senators shouldn’t be senators. Worse, despite having been schooled by maritime law experts and defense officials, Senators Robinhood Padilla’s and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s smarmy refusals to believe they are wrong about the CCG embarrass the Senate. Hear Padilla sarcastically telling experts during a joint Senate panel hearing into West Philippine Sea issues: ““Ibig niyong sabihin, iba ang definition ng coast guard ng China? Wow, ha, talaga lang, ha (So you mean, the Coast Guard is defined differently by China? Wow, really, are you sure about that)?” Most of us may be excused if last week we didn’t know or pay much attention to the fact that since its 2021 transformation by Chinese domestic law, the CCG is now a military force disguised as a civilian force. But sitting senators can’t claim the same excuse. Senators are expected to at least possess some knowledge of recent international developments since the Senate is constitutionally tasked with scrutinizing and approving the country’s treaties with other countries. Senators are supposed to enlighten us then. But both Padilla and Dela Rosa inspire us instead of their sheer ignorance of recent Chinese developments that directly affect our national interest. Not taking Filipino expert counsel, too, is wholly pathetic. It isn’t only Filipino experts but international maritime law experts who said the CCG’s command and control structure had been changed to that of a military-like organization under the centralized command of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission. True, putting military organizations in charge of maritime law enforcement — which coast guards typically do — is not unique to China. For instance, the United States Coast Guard is one of America’s five armed forces branches and has an explicit defense readiness mission. The French, too, have the Maritime Gendarmerie, a paramilitary police force under the operational control of the chief of staff of the French Navy. Still, the US and French coast guards are considered exceptions rather than the rule insofar as how most countries conceive, structure, and operate their civilian-led coast guards. China did follow the general practice when it put up its coast guard in 2013. Since 2021, however, after a comprehensive China Coast Guard Law took effect, China set its coast guard apart from the rest of Asia, except for Vietnam. China ensuring that military, not civilian government agencies, exert control over its coast guard undoubtedly has far-reaching consequences in the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea. For instance, one consequence of a militarized CCG is that China doesn’t need to declare war in her attempts to expand her de facto control over disputed waters. A militarized CCG is enough to bolster China’s preferred strategic approach of “slow intensity or low-intensity coercion.” Other important consequences of CCG’s militarization abound, particularly thorny questions about Chinese CCG law violating significant provisions of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. But that’s for another time. On a more recent topical note, however, our military officials say our armed forces are already preparing for any eventuality should the CCG go beyond firing water cannons when blocking our ships resupplying the beleaguered Ayungin Shoal detachment. Our military’s fears are not unfounded. Article 22 of the CCG law authorizes a CCG vessel to use its weapons without warning against foreign government and civilian vessels. And there are fears the CCG might use weapons deadlier than water cannons and lasers. Some CCG vessels, in fact, are equipped with destroyer-class 76mm guns. It behooves the military, therefore, to keep a close eye on any major equipment changes — like larger caliber guns and missiles — on CCG vessels patrolling the West Philippine Sea. The post Disguised military force appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
European body out to make seas safer
The European Union expressed interest in working more closely with the Philippines in making the seas safer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday. Von der Leyen met yesterday in Malacañang with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for bilateral talks, where she underscored that the world’s geopolitical landscape is changing and becoming more dangerous. “We are ready to strengthen cooperation with the Philippines on maritime security in the region by sharing information, conducting threat assessments, and building the capacity of your coast guard,” Von der Leyen said in a joint statement with Marcos. She also discussed the EU’s position on the court decision that threw out China’s claims in the South China Sea. “The European Union underlines that the 2016 award of the arbitral tribunal on the South China Sea is legally binding and that it provides the basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties,” Von der Leyen said. “We are ready to strengthen cooperation with the Philippines on maritime security in the region by sharing information, conducting threat assessments, and building the capacity of your National Coast Watch System and your Coast Guard,” she added. Von der Leyen said the EU and the Philippines share a common interest in a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the EU is committed to upholding the rules-based international order. She stressed that the EU is concerned about the rising tensions in the region and that it is ready to work with the Philippines to address these challenges. Von der Leyen then called for closer security cooperation between the European Union and the Philippines in the Indo-Pacific region. She pointed out the EU has been working for a free and open Indo-Pacific because “an Indo-Pacific free from threats of coercion is key to all of our stability, peace and the prosperity of our people.” She said the global geopolitical landscape is changing and that authoritarian leaders are showing that they are willing to act on their threats. She cited Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as an example of this. “Security in Europe and security in the Indo-Pacific are indivisible,” she said. “Challenges to the rules-based order in our interconnected world affect all of us.” Marcos and Von der Leyen also discussed ways to promote economic cooperation and investments in the Indo-Pacific region. “We have a broad roadmap to bring our partnership to the next level,” Von der Leyen said. “Let’s use the great momentum we have in our relationship.” The post European body out to make seas safer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Typhoon ‘Doksuri’ batters China
Typhoon “Doksuri” battered southeastern China with high winds and rains on Friday. The storm’s winds clocked 175 kilometers per hour off the coast of Fujian province around 10 a.m., Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said. State news agency Xinhua reported more than 416,000 people in Fujian had been evacuated for safety. The national weather observatory categorized it as most severe in its four-tier system on Friday to warn the public of its potential danger to life and property. China’s National Meteorological Center also renewed an orange alert for rainstorms across broad swathes of the country, effective from 2 p.m. Friday until 2 p.m. Saturday. Local governments and transport authorities were advised to take precautions as drainage systems and roads are expected to be impacted by heavy rains, Xinhua reported. Pictures shared on social media showed huge gusts of wind pummelling residential tower blocks on Friday in Jinjiang, a county-level urban area south of the city of Quanzhou. Live footage broadcast by CCTV showed a reporter wading through flooded streets flanked by several downed trees, warning viewers in the area to stay home except in emergencies. Videos of colossal waves crashing over embankments and howling winds whipping through urban areas were posted to the social media platform Weibo by the state-backed People’s Daily. The powerful typhoon is expected to continue moving in a northwestern direction over central China as its intensity gradually weakens. But Xinhua reported that the storm-level gales would affect “coastal regions of Taiwan, Fujian, Zhejiang and Guangdong, among others” until 8 a.m. on Saturday. “Doksuri” left 13 dead and 21 missing in the Philippines earlier. WITH AFP The post Typhoon ‘Doksuri’ batters China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China launches weather satellite
Chinese state media on Sunday announced the successful launch of a new meteorological satellite from a space center in northwestern China at 9:36 a.m. Footage released by state broadcaster CCTV showed a white rocket blasting off into clear skies from the center in arid Gansu province, leaving a plume of smoke and dust in its wake. Beijing’s Xinhua news agency reported that the Long March 4B rocket had carried the Fengyun-3 07 satellite into orbit. The satellite “will provide services for weather forecasting, disaster prevention and mitigation, climate change response and ecological conservation,” according to Xinhua. Taipei’s defense ministry said the satellite’s orbit “passed over the seas off (the) northern coast of Taiwan” and that “some rocket wreckage fell into the sea where Beijing announced a no-sail zone this week. Maritime authorities in China’s eastern Fujian province this week banned ships from an area north of Taiwan from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday due to “possible falling rocket wreckage.” The debris “did not affect our homeland security,” the Taiwan defense ministry said. The post China launches weather satellite appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China rocket launch sends debris into sea near Taiwan: Taipei authorities
China said Sunday it had launched a satellite into orbit, with authorities in Taiwan saying rocket debris had fallen into the sea where Beijing announced a no-sail zone this week. Maritime authorities in China's eastern Fujian province this week banned ships from an area north of Taiwan from 9:00 am (0100 GMT) to 3:00 pm (0700 GMT) on Sunday due to "possible falling rocket wreckage". Taiwan's transport ministry said Beijing had also planned to prohibit aircraft from entering the zone -- crisscrossed by a number of international routes -- for around half an hour from 9:30 am, though Chinese authorities later criticised the claim as inaccurate. The announcements came days after Beijing declared an end to large-scale military drills around Taiwan carried out as a furious response to its leader Tsai Ing-wen's recent visit to the United States. Chinese state media on Sunday announced the successful launch of a "new meteorological satellite" from a space centre in northwestern China at 9:36 am. Footage released by state broadcaster CCTV showed a white rocket blasting off into clear skies from the launch centre in arid Gansu province, leaving a plume of smoke and dust in its wake. Taipei's defence ministry said the satellite's orbit "passed over the seas off (the) northern coast of Taiwan" and that "some rocket wreckage fell into the warning area". "The military has used joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance measures to monitor the situation of the rocket launch," the ministry said. The debris "did not affect our homeland security", it added. Beijing's Xinhua news agency reported that the launch of the Long March 4B rocket had carried the Fengyun-3 07 satellite "into its preset orbit". The satellite "will provide services for weather forecasting, disaster prevention and mitigation, climate change response and ecological conservation", according to Xinhua. China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to bring the self-ruled island under its control one day -- by force if need be. Beijing this month held three days of "Joint Sword" military manoeuvres after Tsai travelled to the US -- Taipei's main security backer -- for meetings with a bipartisan group of lawmakers including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. China's People's Liberation Army said the exercises simulated targeted strikes on Taiwan and an encirclement that would have effectively "sealed" it off. The operations "comprehensively tested the integrated joint combat ability of multiple military branches under actual combat conditions", the PLA's Eastern Command said. They were also expected to include live-fire drills in a closed-off area near the coast of Fujian -- about 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of the Taiwan-administered Matsu islands -- but it is not clear whether those drills actually took place. The post China rocket launch sends debris into sea near Taiwan: Taipei authorities appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Diplomatic protest vs China coast guard law won t affect vax procurement — Palace
The Philippines' diplomatic protest against a law that allows the Chinese coast guard to fire on foreign vessels won't affect the purchase of China-made COVID-19 vaccines, Malacañang said Thursday......»»
Philippines announces decisive measures amid tensions with China
Manila [Philippines], March 28 (ANI): Amid the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr has announced decisive measures to protect his country's sovereignty and maritime rights while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Marcos, known as Bongbong, said that the measures, aimed at addressing what he said is the "open, unabating, and illegal" actions by China's Coast.....»»
Hope for more survivors from Baltimore bridge collapse fades
BALTIMORE – The coast guard announced on Wednesday that hope of finding more survivors of the Baltimore bridge collapse has dimmed, and efforts have switched to searching for the bodies of the missing persons, as well as seeking more answers as to why a container ship crashed into the span. The coast guard announced on.....»»
EAM Jaishankar visits Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar in Manila
Manila [Philippines], March 27 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar on Tuesday during its port call to Manila and said that India's Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision will continue to give it a more contemporary form. He presented his remarks at the Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar on Tuesday and said that his visit and the ship's presence signify th.....»»
From the Newsrooms: March 17 to 23, 2024
By: CMFR StaffPosted on: March 25, 2024, 8:00 amUpdated on: March 25, 2024, 1:00 am THIS WEEK, "From the Newsrooms" looks at the media coverage of two events. On March 20, a hearing in the House on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) revealed that Chinese nationals were included in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA). On March 21, Arnolfo Teves, the alleged mastermind of the Pamplona.....»»
Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar on overseas deployment to ASEAN, arrives im Phillipines
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): India Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, reached Manila, Philippines on Monday, marking the commencement of its (overseas deployment) OSD mission to Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. ASEAN countries includes Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, " acc.....»»
Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar on overseas deployment to ASEAN nations, arrives in Philippines
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): India Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, reached Manila, Philippines on Monday, marking the commencement of its (overseas deployment) OSD mission to Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. ASEAN countries includes Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, " acc.....»»