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China: PH is ‘straying down a dangerous path’
MANILA, Philippines — China continued to blame the Philippines and its ally, the United States, for the continued tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea. In a statement on Thursday, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Wu Qian warned that the Philippines is going down a dangerous path. READ: No letup in Chinese water cannon attacks.....»»
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.....»»
Akbayan to Sara: You don’t have to be president to speak vs China
MANILA, Philippines — Party-list group Akbayan said on Thursday that Vice President Sara Duterte does not have to be a president of the country for her to call out China’s intrusive actions over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Empathy and a moral backbone is just what it takes to stand up with fisherfolk and frontline.....»»
Dela Rosa considers war with China but admits: ‘Hindi naman natin kaya’
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is already fed up with China’s persistent harassments in the West Philippine Sea, prompting thoughts of engaging in war with Beijing. But he knows, war is not an option. “Naubos na ang sasabihin ko dapat dyan. Short of declaring war na tayo dyan against sa kanila e,.....»»
Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
View from Manila: ‘Tama na, Lord’
China responded like 'it's already the end of the world,' says National Security Adviser Eduardo Año in describing the latest 'illegal, coercive' act in the West Philippine Sea.....»»
2 Pangasinan-based environmental defenders abducted
by DOMINIC GUTOMAN Bulatlat.com MANILA – Two Pangasinan-based environmental defenders and organizers were violently mauled and dragged into an SUV at about 8 p.m. on March 24 in Barangay Polo, San Carlos, Pangasinan, according to human rights group Karapatan-Central Luzon Karapatan – Central Luzon said the abduction of Francisco “Eco” Dangla III and Axielle “Jak”… The post 2 Pangasinan-based environmental defenders abducted appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Consider alliances with Netherlands, Norway, DFA urged
The Department of Foreign Affairs should consider alliances with non-defense allies like Norway, the Netherlands and other countries for maritime exploration, research and development amid conflict with China over the West Philippines Sea (WPS), Sen. Francis Tolentino said yesterday......»»
‘Not war with China; don’t rely only on US’ – Marcos Jr.
In an interview on Bloomberg TV last Wednesday, as reported in another national daily, he made two related comments that could represent important government policy stands. First, regarding China’s increasing aggressive moves against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea; second, about the United States’ repeated assurance of its “iron-clad” defense commitment under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. The post ‘Not war with China; don’t rely only on US’ – Marcos Jr. appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
US Bolstering Philippines Amid Increasing Assertiveness by China
washington - The U.S. and Philippines will for the first time venture outside Manila's territorial waters when they begin joint annual combat drills in April, a Philippines government spokesman said Thursday.Colonel Michael Logico said elements of the Balikatan 2024 drills would be conducted about 22 kilometers (more than 12 nautical miles) off the west coast of Palawan, an island in the archipelago nation that.....»»
Manila says Chinese vessels ‘intentionally’ hit Philippine boats
Manila said Monday that Chinese vessels "intentionally hit" Philippine boats at the weekend, escalating a diplomatic row over two collisions in the South China Sea. The countries have traded blame over Sunday's incidents near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, with both sides filing diplomatic protests and releasing videos to support their accusations. The two collisions happened during a Philippine resupply mission to troops stationed on a navy vessel that was grounded on the shoal in 1999 to assert Manila's territorial claims. Philippine officials accused a Chinese coastguard ship and a "militia" vessel of "dangerous maneuvering" that resulted in collisions with a Philippine resupply boat and a Philippine Coast Guard vessel. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro took it one step further Monday, labelling the Chinese actions near Second Thomas Shoal deliberate. "Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels, in blatant violation of international law, harassed and intentionally hit Unaiza May 2 and Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra," Teodoro said. "We are here to really decry in the strongest possible terms this egregious violation and illegal act within the (Philippines') 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone and the obfuscation of the truth by China's distorting the story to fit its own ends." His comments came hours after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos met with security officials and ordered the coastguard to investigate the incident, which was "being taken seriously at the highest level of government", his communications team said. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning on Monday accused the Philippines of "continuing to spread false information and hype things up". Earlier Monday, the Philippine foreign ministry summoned China's ambassador to Manila and lodged a diplomatic protest over the incident. Spokeswoman Teresita Daza said the ambassador was unavailable and was represented by his deputy chief of mission. "Ayungin Shoal is part of our exclusive economic zone and continental shelf and we have sovereign rights and jurisdiction over it," Daza said, using the Philippine name for the shoal. The Chinese foreign ministry and embassy in Manila also issued "stern representations to the Philippines" over its "infringements" at Ren'ai Reef, Mao said, using China's name for Second Thomas Shoal. China has said a "slight collision" happened after the Philippine resupply boat ignored "multiple warnings and deliberately passed through law enforcement in an unprofessional and dangerous manner". In the other incident, China accused the Philippine Coast Guard of reversing in a "premeditated manner" into a Chinese fishing vessel. No Filipino crew member was injured, but the supply boat was damaged and forced to turn back, Philippine officials said. A second supply boat reached the tiny garrison on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre and unloaded its cargo. Manila's longtime ally Washington has led a chorus of international criticism of China's alleged interference in the resupply mission. The US State Department on Sunday reiterated its mutual defence pact with the Philippines "extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft –- including those of its Coast Guard –- anywhere in the South China Sea". 'Arbitral ruling is binding' China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored a 2016 international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. Second Thomas Shoal is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan, and more than 1,000 kilometers from China's nearest major landmass, Hainan island. Previously warm ties between Manila and Beijing have cooled since Marcos took power in June 2022, as he seeks stronger relations with the United States. The Marcos administration has publicly criticized Chinese actions in the South China Sea, publishing photos and videos to support its claims of Chinese harassment and the blocking of its vessels. Beijing has released its own images of the incidents. Despite the challenges, the Philippines would "continue to do what is necessary" to supply its troops on the BRP Sierra Madre with provisions, said Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the National Security Council. Manila and Beijing have a long history of maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Tensions flared in August when China Coast Guard vessels used water cannon against a Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal, preventing one of the boats from delivering its cargo. The post Manila says Chinese vessels ‘intentionally’ hit Philippine boats appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Congress vows funding for Pag-asa Island development in WPS
The House of Representatives has vowed to finance the development of Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea amid the intensifying geopolitical tensions between the Philippines and China. While the amount has yet to be disclosed, Speaker Martin Romualdez announced on Thursday that the funds will go to finance storm shelters for fishermen, a solar power plant, ice and cold storage facilities, a desalination plant, and satellite-based communication facilities, among others. The commitment came following a tour by Romauldez, majority leader Mannix Dalipe, minority leader Nonoy Libanan, and House committee appropriations Elizaldy Co accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Romeo Brawner, wherein they had first-hand discussions with the island’s local folk and the armed personnel manning the country’s outpost in the West Philippine Sea. Building these critical infrastructures in Pag-asa Island, Romualdez said, will help mitigate the challenges faced by Filipino soldiers and fishermen operating in the disputed waters in the Spratly Group of Islands and to boost their military might to further safeguard the Philippine territory. “It’s clear that Pag-asa Island needs a development plan. The House of Representatives will take the lead in coming up with such a plan, being the institution responsible for the national budget and national policies that need legislation,” he said. The Speaker added that supporting local troops in the area underscores the Philippine government’s commitment to assert its sovereignty over territorial waters. Romualdez, in a late press conference on Thursday, said that the House appropriations panel will look into the necessary measures to finance the establishment of such crucial infrastructures. Back in September, deputy speaker Ralph Recto lamented that a "measly" P80 million allocation to strengthen Pag-asa Island would be insufficient to cover the development of military facilities in the said area. Recto said the national government could not just make "loud noises" in defending the WPS but must set aside a greater budget for the Pag-asa Island to help the defense sector execute its military might in the disputed area. Under the proposed P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024, the funding allocated for the improvement of military infrastructure in Pag-asa Island lobbied under the Department of Public Works and Highways' Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad Program or TIKAS is merely P80 million, according to the Batangas lawmaker. The post Congress vows funding for Pag-asa Island development in WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP wants Filipino boats, fishermen to go in WPS
The Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is eyeing the increase of Filipino boats and fishermen in the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. This was bared by AFP-WesCom chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos in a media interview, shortly after the recent Stratbase ADRi forum titled "Implementing a Comprehensive Philippine Maritime Framework to Advance Rule of Law" in Makati City. Carlos said the primary target is to assert the country’s sovereign rights in its own territorial waters. Hence, encouraging more Filipino folks to go fishing in the WPS, particularly in Rozul Reef and Ayungin Shoal. Asked about the maritime situation in the WPS, Carlos said: “The situational update based on maritime awareness monitoring, the number of foreign vessels loitering in the area is not changing.” The AFP, he added, continues to monitor the waters as part of its domain awareness efforts. Carlos said these foreign vessels are most swarming in the Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef), Rozul Reef, Ayungin Shoal, and Pag-asa Island. The military official previously reported the “extensive damage” of corals in Rozul Reef and expressed suspicions that Chinese vessels have been harvesting corals from the area. Despite the swarming activities of the foreign fishing vessels, Carlos was glad to note that Filipino fishermen are still willing to fish in the WPS. “I’m happy to report na ongoing that we have ongoing efforts to convince our Filipino fishermen to fish in the WPS para ma-exercise natin ‘yung atin (so we can exercise our) sovereign rights to fish,” he said. Carlos said more Filipino fishermen have been present in Ayungin Shoal and Rozul Reef for four weeks during the last month. “I’m happy to note, the number has increased a little. Hindi ko masabi substantially, but we need more. We need to increase their number more. But it's a good start for the last month, dumadami na sila (they were increased),” he added. Meanwhile, Carlos noted that they are now crafting a National Strategy for WPS. “The message in strategy. I don’t want to sound it—but it's not a complete overhaul of our strategy. It’s a normal tweaking of the courses of action that we will take against the situation on the ground,” he said. Carlos added that the strategy also includes the changing of geopolitical situation in the area “with more nations’ extensive support to our effort to establish a rules-based international order in the WPS.” “We are all taking these into consideration in putting in on our strategy. A little tweak here and there, not a complete overhaul,” he stressed. “We’re okay with the strategy now, but we are tweaking it a little to be more effective in addressing the situation on the ground,” he added. Carlos said the military forces wished to get more resources “so they can perform their job better.” “With the shift in the external security operations from internal security operations, we are expecting also a shift in the allocation of resources and the allocation of the forces to be able to address external security threats,” he said. He also cited that some ships from other areas are now being deployed in the WPS. “It’s a work in progress to strengthen our forces to address external security threats in the WPS,” he added. Carlos said whatever strategies are being used in WPS must be aligned with the national security strategy of the entire Philippines. “It’s more on making it a tune to the situation on the ground,” he added. The post AFP wants Filipino boats, fishermen to go in WPS 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......»»
Senate resolution, unnecessary and inappropriate
The Senate resolution condemning China for its “continued harassment” of Filipino fishermen and “incursions” into Philippine waters in the contested China Sea, and urging the government to raise the issue of Beijing’s intrusive actions before the United Nations General Assembly as being violative of the 2016 arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines, was passed unanimously last Tuesday. The Senate resolution is both unnecessary and inappropriate. Unnecessary because most, if not all, of the members of the Senate, have on various occasions and platforms expressed individually each position on the matter. Each senator has expressed his/her opposition and condemnation of China’s continued coercive actions against our fisher folks and coast guards. Every one of them at one time or another made his/her assertion of the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. Each of them has expressed outrage at China’s refusal to honor the Permanent Arbitration Court’s decision nullifying China’s expansive claims and validating the country’s sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone or EEZ and continental shelf. Since their individual positions on the matter of China’s coast guards and militia bullying our fishermen and coast guards in the country’s waters have been made known, why do they have to make a resolution expressing their sense as a body? It’s an act of redundancy. Inappropriate, for the reason that the President of the Philippines has invariably declared at different times his unequivocal assertion of the country’s independence and enforcement of the arbitral award, as well as filed diplomatic protests, against the unlawful and unwelcome intrusions by China in the West Philippine Sea and therefore being the Chief Architect of foreign policy, it behooves the members of the Senate to respect it — and not to intrude into the former’s domain. The senators must remember that the Constitution has allocated — and demarcated — the functions and duties of the three branches of government. The executive branch enforces the law, the legislative branch passes laws, and the judicial branch interprets the laws and imposes penalties for those violating them, and rules on conflicting claims. The President is the Head of State, and the head of government is composed of the aforesaid three branches. When the President speaks officially on matters of national security and national interest, and makes a pronouncement on a particular policy, in this particular case vis-a-vis the disputed waters in the South China Sea, the two branches cannot go against it, nor undermine it, by issuing contradicting statements or making it appear that it is wanting and ineffective, unless the presidential pronouncement is blatantly and evidently in violation of the Constitution. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s stand on China’s intrusions into Philippine waters is correct. He said his presidency will not surrender any square inch of the Philippine territory. It will continue to assert its sovereignty and will pursue the enforcement of the arbitral ruling even as it continuously protests Beijing’s intrusions. There is no need therefore for the legislative branch to make a separate position apart from the President’s. It cannot also dictate or teach the President in the matter of ways to enforce the ruling like bringing it to the attention of the United Nations, as if the latter is unaware of it. They forget that two Presidents, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., have already addressed the general assembly of the United Nations articulating, among others, the country’s affirmation of its independence and sovereignty and invocation of the validity and immutability of the arbitral award. The United Nations and the rest of the world know the conflict involving China and the Philippines. Many countries, like the United States, Japan, Australia, and the European Union, have already expressed support for the Philippines’ stand. The Senate resolution, wittingly or intentionally, makes it appear that the President’s position is weak, or his defense of our sovereignty is insufficient, hence they need to goad him to do better or embarrass him when the truth is — the said resolution makes for an impertinent and insulting narrative. If they could not yield to the temptation of a public outcry, and they feel the need to unleash their sentiments for the President to hear them, with the sincere intention of helping him, why didn’t they write him instead or whisper to him in confidence? Why do they have to upstage him? The post Senate resolution, unnecessary and inappropriate 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......»»
CIA denies hand on Wagner mutiny
United States Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns recently traveled to Ukraine, where he met with intelligence counterparts and President Volodymyr Zelensky, a US official confirmed to AFP Friday. The trip, which was not reported at the time, comes as Kyiv’s brigades pursue a counteroffensive in their nation’s east and south against Russian forces, launched earlier this month after weeks of anticipation. During his trip, Burns reaffirmed “the US commitment to sharing intelligence to help Ukraine defend against Russian aggression,” the US official said. According to The Washington Post, which first reported the visit, Ukrainian officials shared plans to claw back Russian-occupied territory and begin ceasefire negotiations by the end of the year. Burns “traveled to Ukraine as he has done regularly since the beginning of Russia’s recent aggression more than a year ago,” the US official said. The Post reported that the visit occurred in June. The trip took place before the 24-hour insurrection by the leader of the Wagner private military company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to the official. The mutiny, which was widely seen as the biggest threat to Kremlin authority in decades, “was not a topic of discussion,” the official added. The United States has attempted to make clear to Russia that it played no role in the rebellion, with major US media reporting Friday that Burns called the head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, following the uprising to assert that the United States was not involved. The Ukrainian military’s commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny has said his country’s counteroffensive plans are being hobbled by the lack of adequate firepower, from modern fighter jets to artillery ammunition. On Tuesday, the United States announced a fresh $500-million package of arms to bolster the counteroffensive, including armored vehicles, precision munitions and mine-clearing equipment. The post CIA denies hand on Wagner mutiny appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Del Rosario role model on OFW welfare: Ople
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople on Thursday reflected on the legacy of the late former Foreign Affairs chief Albert del Rosario for policies concerning overseas Filipino workers, calling him a “role model.” “One of the best examples of servant-leadership in times of our workers’ greatest need would be that of Secretary Del Rosario, and for that, he will always be remembered fondly and with gratitude by the overseas employment sector,” Ople said in a statement. She said that Del Rosario’s bravery in witnessing first-hand the mass evacuation of OFWs from Libya to Tunisia ensured continuing protection for their kababayans at that time of conflict. This was in reference to efforts by the Philippine government to facilitate the movement of Filipinos from Libya to Tunisia in 2011, just after taking oath as DFA’s new secretary. “(Del Rosario) could have monitored the mass evacuation of our OFWs from Libya to Tunisia from the comfort and safety of his stately office at the DFA, but he didn’t. He chose to be at the Tunisian border, at tremendous risk to his own life, thus making every distressed worker at that time feel safe and cared for,” she said. Under his watch, Del Rosario helped in the mass evacuation of more than 24,000 OFWs in countries such as Libya, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Egypt, as well as his aid efforts to over 80,000 Filipino migrant workers between 2011 and 2015. The late former DFA Secretary may have been best known for standing up against China in a landmark case on the jurisdiction of the West Philippine Sea, prompting a legal victory for the country in 2015, but Ople remembered Del Rosario as an open-minded official who heard concerns even from non-government OFW advocacy groups. Del Rosario died on Tuesday while en route to San Francisco, California in the United States. His family announced that the wake at the Chapels of Sanctuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City, will be on 23 and 24 Monday, with a funeral mass on 25 April. Hontiveros resolution Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution seeking to honor the memory of Del Rosario, who ushered the Philippines’ case against China before the arbitral tribunal that cemented Manila’s claim in the West Philippine Sea. In her Senate Resolution 572 filed on Wednesday, Hontiveros described Del Rosario as a “consummate and hands-on diplomat, mild-manner but firm, who represented the country with utmost grace, honor and dignity.” “Del Rosario was known for defending the national interest, whether it be the interest of scores of overseas Filipino workers finding themselves in situations of distress in other countries or the country’s security interests vis a vis a foreign aggression,” she said in her explanatory note. “Del Rosario will be remembered most for being at the helm of the Philippine victory in The Hague, where the 2016 Arbitral Award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration reaffirmed our legitimate rights in the West Philippine Sea and asserted baseline principles of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea,” she added. According to the senator, the 2016 landmark arbitral ruling that favored the Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea has earned its place in the annals of international law. “(It) has shown the world that a country like the Philippines can assert and protect its rights over its territory and resources, even in the face of conflicting claims from a global giant like China,” she said. Hontiveros also said that Del Rosario has given humankind “the largest award of the global commons in the history of the UNCLOS.” “Del Rosario’s legacy will live on, not only in his body of work but in our continued commitment as a people to stand up to aggressors and to defend our integrity,” she added. The post Del Rosario role model on OFW welfare: Ople appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM sympathizes with late Foreign Affairs secretary’s family
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday conveyed his condolences to the family and loved ones of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario after the official died at 83. In a message, Marcos described del Rosario as "an honorable diplomat and an esteemed public servant" who has "a deep commitment to our national interest and his unwavering devotion to our shared values." "I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Secretary del Rosario, who was known for his patriotism and integrity," Marcos said. "We thank his deep commitment to our national interest and his unwavering devotion to our shared values," the Chief Executive added. Del Rosario served as the country's chief diplomat from 2011 to 2016. During this time, he played a significant role in the country's successful legal dispute against China over the West Philippine Sea. He presented the Philippine case before the Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague to assert the country's sovereignty. In 2022, del Rosario acknowledged the support of Marcos for his position on the West Philippine Sea and for backing the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The post PBBM sympathizes with late Foreign Affairs secretary’s family appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»