By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Was it a mistake, if not a blunder, that the permanent US military bases were booted out of the Philippines?
This question surfaced as a top Philippine Navy official noted that China only became emboldened to enter the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) “with the absence of a power,” the United States of America.
“China’s activities are always dependent on the absence of a power, the US, this has encroached into the EEZ of countries bordering the South China Sea,” Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said.
Trinidad explained that this was based on China’s previous actions not only in the Philippines but also in Vietnam.
“If you look at the actions of China, they come in whenever there is a vacuum. So looking at the history, the pullout of foreign forces from Vietnam, they came in. The pullout of the US forces from the Philippines, they came in,” the PN official said.
The permanent US military bases in Subic and Clark were closed down in 1992.
“We started noticing their markers in 1992, 1993. They prevented our gray ships from entering Mischief reef, in 1995 they established fishermen’s shelter they said it would be for maritime research, eventually they made their military bases, they militarized the area,” Trinidad added.
On Tuesday (16 April 2024), Trinidad revealed that a total of 55 Chinese vessels were monitored in different features in the WPS.
He said the following Chinese vessels were spotted in the following areas:
* Bajo de Masinloc – two Chinese Coast Guard vessels, 24 Chinese maritime militia vessels
* Ayungin Shoal – one Chinese Coast Guard vessel, five Chinese fishing vessels
* Pagasa Island – one Chinese Coast Guard vessel, 19 Chinese maritime militia vessels
* Panata Island – two Chinese maritime militia vessels
* Lawak Island – one People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel
However, Trinidad said so far the Chinese vessels have not performed aggressive actions.
“Their activities have been varied, some of them would be lying to or stationary, others would be moving, doing patrols,” he observed.
In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague said China’s claims had no legal basis, a decision that China has rejected.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that it it opposes “sinophobic sentiments” by way of accusations that are “malicious” and “groundless,” the Chinese embassy in Manila on Thursday (11 April 2024) denied the alleged presence of Chinese “sleeper cells” in the Philippines.
The Chinese embassy issued the statement following reports regarding the arrest of four Chinese nationals in Palawan, who were allegedly engaged in issuing fraudulently acquired Philippine government issued identification cards including passports with special resident retiree visas (SRRV).
“China-Philippines friendship has always been the mainstream of our bilateral relations and the aspiration of the two peoples. However, there seems to be an “invisible hand” here disseminating disinformation about China, hyping up maritime disputes between the two countries, amplifying our maritime differences, creating tension, and even fear mongering about war,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.
The embassy underscored that China has never invaded the Philippines and called out other nations for allegedly interfering and stirring division.
“It aims at nothing but poisoning the atmosphere of China-Philippines relations and disrupting their development. We believe that the Filipino people have discerning eyes and can see through these shenanigans, and shall not be deceived by false narratives,” the embassy maintained.
No such thing as sleeper cells, the Chinese Embassy stood firm.
“China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. The so-called ‘sleeper cells’ of China in the Philippines is nothing but fabrication. Instead, we see habitual meddling in other nations’ internal affairs, fostering domestic division and confrontation, and instigating ‘color revolutions’ by some country,” the embassy said.
The embassy then urged the Philippines to engage in dialogues to manage differences.
“We urge relevant parties in the Philippines to keep up with the trend of the times and listen to the people of both countries, stop spinning false narratives and arousing anti-China sentiments. It is hoped that the Philippine side, taking into account the broader context of China-Philippines relations and regional peace and stability, will return to the right track of dialogue and consultation at the earliest opportunity, meet China half way, manage differences through concrete actions, and promote the stable development of bilateral relations.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Stressing that the Philippines has made “sincere efforts” to implement the order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping to lower the tensions in the South China Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) noted that China’s latest aggressive actions in Ayungin Shoal seem to be questionable.
The DFA on Monday (25 March 2024) morning summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy following the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) dangerous maneuver against a Philippine vessel on a recent rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin Shoal.
DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a statement they summoned the Chinese chargé d’affaires to “convey the Philippines’ strong protest against the aggressive actions” committed by the CCG and Chinese maritime militia.
“In these demarches, the Philippines stressed, among others, that China has no right to be in Ayungin Shoal, a low-tide elevation that lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf by the 1982 UNCLOS and as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award,” she said.
The DFA also said the Philippines demands that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal and the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) immediately.
“China’s continued interference with the Philippines’ routine and lawful activities in its exclusive economic zone is unacceptable. It infringes upon the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” the DFA further said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following China’s latest aggression against Philippine vessels, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to the mutual defense pact with Manila.
On Saturday (23 March 2024), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that Chinese vessels yet again used a power water cannon against a civilian vessel chartered to resupply Philippine troops on the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War Two-era ship that was deliberately grounded on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea to serve as a symbol of the country’s sovereignty.
“The United States stands with its ally the Philippines and condemns the dangerous actions by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea on March 23,” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement, also on Saturday shortly after the incident.
He pointed out that the “US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea.”
The West Philippine Sea is part of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The AFP earlier posted X (formerly Twitter) that included videos of the incident of the China Coast Guard training a water cannon at the Unaiza May 4, a ship that had previously been damaged by the same while on a similar mission.
Miller described China’s actions as “destabilizing to the region” and showed “clear disregard for international law.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Maintaining that Taiwan is a province of China, Beijing — through its foreign ministry — warned the Philippines should “not play with fire” about the Taiwan issue to avoid being manipulated and eventually hurt.
This was aired by Wang Wenbin, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) spokesman when asked in a press conference to comment on the reported directive of Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro to military officials to deploy more troops in Batanes.
“I want to stress again that the Taiwan question is at the heart of China’s core interests and is a red line and bottom line that must not be crossed,” Wang said.
Teodoro earlier said that he wanted to mobilize more troops to the remote Batanes islands – less than 200 kilometers from Taiwan – to fortify Manila’s territorial defense capabilities.
Despite the reported harassment by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippines in January reiterated its adherence to its One-China policy.
Wang pointed out that China and the Philippines are neighbors across the sea.
“Friendly exchanges predominate in the history of our bilateral relations. A close neighbor can be more helpful than a distant relative,” he said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In what could be interpreted as a “flexing of muscles”, China has sent 27 ships described as a “major maritime militia rotation” despite an agreement between the Philippines and China to ease tensions in the region through diplomacy.
It was learned that the 27 Qiong Sansha Yu-class ships were spotted south of the Spratly Islands and east of Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal).
Qiong Sansha Yu-class ships are reportedly professional maritime militia vessels operated by the state-owned Sansha Fisheries Development Company that often work in tandem with the China Coast Guard (CCG) in enforcing the communist country’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, including the WPS.
Ironically, last Wednesday (January 17), the Philippines and China convened the 8th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea in Shanghai.
During the discussions, the Philippines and China “agreed that continuous dialogue is important to keep peace and stability at sea” and “assured each other of their mutual commitment to avoid escalation of tensions.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In an unprecedented move, China has filed a diplomatic protest – before the Philippine embassies in Beijing and Manila – over President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s congratulatory message to Taiwan’s president-elect Dr. Lai Ching-te.
It was not immediately known if this was the first that China filed a diplomatic protest against the Philippines. Still, since Marcos Jr. assumed power in June 2022, the Philippines has filed at least 130 protests against China owing to the latter’s alleged encroachment on PH’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.
“President Marcos is the only head of State to congratulate Lai among 182 countries which established diplomatic relations with China,” the Chinese Embassy in Manila noted on Wednesday.
In a statement, the embassy spokesman said Marcos’ remarks “seriously violate the ‘One China’ principle, and constitute an act of gross interference in China’s internal affairs.”
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Mao Ning also disclosed that Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong on Tuesday (January 16) summoned the Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz “to lodge serious démarche and urge the Philippines to present a responsible response to China.”
Démarche is a political step or initiative.
“We suggest President Marcos read more to develop a proper understanding of the ins and outs of the Taiwan question and come to a right conclusion,” Mao said in a briefing.
The Chinese embassy also stressed: “China strongly opposes such remarks, and has made immediate and solemn démarches to the Philippines from both Beijing and Manila.”
“There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China,” it emphasized.
(El Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that the Philippines has violated the “One China principle”, China has summoned the Philippine ambassador after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. congratulated Taiwanese president-elect Lai Ching-te and remarked that he looked forward to having “close collaboration” with him.
China’s capital Beijing has long considered the democratically-run and pro-US Taiwan as its “renegade province” and intends to reclaim it, by force if necessary.
“We are telling the Philippine side not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue… and to stop immediately its wrongful words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues and sending wrong signals to separatist forces for Taiwan independence,” China foreign affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said.
She pointed out that PBBM’s remarks “are a serious violation of the One China Principle… a serious breach of the political commitments made by the Philippines to the Chinese side, and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs.”
However, the Philippines has reaffirmed its “One China policy” even after Marcos Jr congratulated Taiwan’s Lai.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that this may provoke China to take more aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) since Beijing does not maintain diplomatic ties with countries that recognize Taiwan.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Acknowledging the “weakness” of the political opposition, two political analysts have agreed that it should ally — for now — with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., particularly on the issue of West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the face of China’s aggressive moves and against the Dutertes’ apparent intent to seize power.
Political analysts Ronald Llamas and Richard Heydarian in their vlog agreed that PBBM “is not the enemy” of the opposition but those who serve the interests of China which had became “spoiled” during the six years term of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“I hope they (the opposition) can put up a bigger tent for the 2025 midterm elections,” Llamas told Heydarian in their exchanges on the latter’s vlog.
Earlier, he noted that during the recent Christmas party of the Liberal Party at the house of LP president and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, only the Makabayan bloc stalwarts were invited.
Former Senators Antonio “Sonny”Trillanes IV of Magdalo and Bam Aquino and Chel Diokno of Kaya Natin, Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Llamas of Akbayan were not invited.
To recall in 2022, the opposition was also not able to establish a “big tent” due to the alleged blocking of Trillanes to the inclusion of Neri Colmenares of Makabayan bloc into their Senate slate.
Only Hontiveros won from the senatorial bets of the opposition.
He added that it is now obvious that there’s a “civil war” between the Marcos loyalists and the DDS (Duterte Diehard Supporters).
“It all started early this year with the Tambaloslos (remark),” Llamas noted.
He was referring to Vice President Sara Duterte’s insulting reaction apparently targeting Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez after her political mentor former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was stripped of her position as Senior Deputy House Speaker.
Heydarian also commented that the opposition could now be a “de facto UniTeam” with PBBM with regards to standing up against China in the WPS issue and against Duterte returning to power.
Llamas said he believes Duterte will run for Senate in 2025 “to rally his remaining DDS.”
However, he added that although Duterte emerged as the number one choice for senator in 2025 in a recent survey but his “approval and popularity ratings” have significantly dropped to only about 40 percent unlike his time when he was president.
(IA/MNM)
By CHRIS JEWERS (Mail Online)
CHINA — An overnight earthquake killed at least 118 people in a cold and mountainous region in northwestern China, in the nation’s deadliest quake in a decade.
Rescuers are now in a race to find survivors trapped beneath rubble left in the wake of the 6.2-magnitude tremor, which destroyed buildings and sparked landslides.
Emergency authorities in Gansu province appealed for 300 additional workers to comb through collapsed buildings and for other search and rescue operations. According to Chinese state-owned media, officials in neighboring Qinghai reported 20 people missing in a landslide.
The quake injured more than 500 people, severely damaged houses and roads, and knocked out power and communication lines, provincial officials and media reports said.
It struck just before midnight on Monday near the boundary between the two provinces at a relatively shallow depth of six miles, the China Earthquake Networks Center said.
The US Geological Survey measured the magnitude at 5.9.
(Courtesy of Mail Online UK/ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Named by Forbes as the Philippines’ richest woman, who has an estimated net worth of $2.2 billion, SM Investments Corporation Vice Chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson has urged the Marcos Jr. administration to engage China in dialogue instead of calling it out for each incident of aggression in the South China Sea.
Sy-Coson admitted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s confrontational approach towards China has an impact on investors.
“I think we have to look at our own position. We don’t want to get involved in the US-China tensions,” Sy-Coson said, according to a Bloomberg report.
She added that the Philippines “cannot be too antagonistic” towards China.
“What we have to do is to have peaceful discussions with them because, after all, we can’t change our neighbors,” Sy-Coson stressed.
SM Prime Holdings Inc., which is owned by Sy’s family, operates nine malls in China. It is also the Philippines’ largest mall operator.
The Sys also own BDO Unibank, the Philippines’ largest lender, and has a 60% stake in the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
“That’s why we are all cautiously optimistic because of the things that are happening beyond the businesses’ control,” Sy-Coson said.
(AI/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senators have condemned on Sunday the recent attacks of Chinese ships on Philippine vessels on resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) deployed water canon on Philippine vessels which damaged M/L Kalayaan’s engines.
“China not only caused us great damage to property but they also put Filipino lives at risk,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said.
“This was a humanitarian mission, and still China chose to attack them. THEY HAVE NO HEART,” he added.
“They have gone from unlawfully blocking us from navigating our own waters to now deliberately damaging our vessels and endangering the lives of our people.”
Meanwhile, Senator Jinggoy Estrada urged China to respect international law, exercise restraint, and cease all actions that jeopardize the peace and security of the region.
“Ito ay malinaw na paglabag sa karapatang pantao, batas ng dagat at nagpapakita ng kawalan ng paggalang sa soberanya ng Pilipinas,” Estrada said.
Poe said that the intentional attack is a violation of international law.
“With China’s bullying rearing its ugly head anew with the water cannon firing, we must be consistently resolute in defending our territory,” Poe said.
(AI/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs said that two Filipino nationals were executed in China for drug trafficking offenses.
The DFA said on Saturday that it was confirmed by the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou.
“We offer our most sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. Out of deference to their wishes, we deferred from announcing this sad development immediately and are withholding the identities of the two Filipinos,” DFA said.
The department said that it provided all possible assistance, including legal assistance funding, through the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou and the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs from the time the two Filipinos were arrested.
It added that the Philippine government exhausted all measures available to appeal to the relevant authorities of the People’s Republic of China to commute their sentences to life imprisonment on humanitarian grounds. There were also high-level political representations in this regard.
The government likewise provided every possible assistance to the families of the two Filipinos, DFA said.
The agency added that the two executed Filipinos were arrested in 2013 after they were caught with 11 kilos of shabu hidden in a DVD player.
They were convicted in 2016.
DFA officials recently accompanied the relatives of the two convicted Filipinos who went to China for a “compassionate visit” of their loved ones.
(AI/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
SEVERAL COUNTRIES have expressed “strong support” for the Philippines after China Coast Guard (CCG) used a water cannon on a Philippine vessel in a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that triggered the 125th diplomatic protest filed under the Marcos Jr. administration.
The varied reaction of the international community was more concerned with China’s “dangerous” actions in the West Philippine Sea, including the use of its coast guard’s water cannon on a Philippine vessel heading to resupply Filipino troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on Friday, November 10.
United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson assailed the “continued PRC (People’s Republic of China’s) harassment,” and reiterated that Washington DC would stand by Manila for a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
“Despite continued PRC harassment, the Philippines successfully and lawfully resupplied its forces on the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, located wholly within the Philippine EEZ. (The US and the Philippines) stand together as friends, partners, allies for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Carlson noted.
For her part, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu also called for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to be respected.
“Australia is again concerned by dangerous conduct, including the use of water cannons, by China’s vessels in the Philippines’ EEZ (exclusive economic zone). Upholding international law, especially UNCLOS is fundamental to international peace and security,” Yu said.
Meanwhile, the envoys of Japan and the United Kingdom in Manila also expressed apprehensions about actions that increase tensions and undermine peace in the area.
“We give high importance to a free and open maritime order based on the rule of law as Japan, and the Philippines discussed during PM (Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s) visit last week. Any harassment and actions which increase tensions are not tolerated,” Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa pointed out.
On the other hand, UK Ambassador Laure Beaufils said: “(The UK) notes unsafe conduct again experienced by Philippine vessels on their resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. We join the Philippines in calling out actions that undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
“We are committed to UNCLOS, under which the 2016 Arbitral Award is final and legally binding on both parties,” she added.
In addition, the European Union, the Netherlands, and Germany also stressed their support for international law, specifically the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Pfaffernoschke also reposted the Nov. 10 report of the National Task Force – West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on the latest resupply and rotation mission.
“Given today’s event in the South China Sea, Germany reiterates its support for the Philippines in advocating respect for international law in the South China Sea, as an essential pillar for peace and security,” Pfaffernoschke said.
French Ambassador Mariel Fontanel disclosed that she reaffirmed France’s “continuous support” to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) during her meeting with its commandant, Vice Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, and praised the “eventually successful” resupply mission. (ai/mnm)
MANILA — Following the submission of a new diplomatic protest against China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea, support for the Philippines has surged significantly. Numerous countries have expressed their concern and condemnation of what they perceive as “dangerous” behavior by China.
The protest, lodged by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday, was prompted by China’s deployment of a water cannon against a Philippine boat on a resupply mission to Filipino troops at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
In response, the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) stated, “We once again condemn China’s latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers.” The NTF-WPS firmly demanded the immediate departure of Chinese vessels engaged in such illegal activities from the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.
Various ambassadors, including Australian Ambassador HK Yu, underscored the importance of upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and respecting international law for global peace and security.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson criticized the “continued PRC harassment” and reaffirmed Washington D.C.’s commitment to stand by Manila for a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” Similarly, the envoys of Japan and the United Kingdom echoed their opposition to actions escalating tensions in the region.
The European Union, the Netherlands, and Germany reiterated their support for international law, specifically Unclos and the 2016 Arbitral Award. German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke expressed Germany’s backing for the Philippines in advocating respect for international law in the South China Sea.
Despite the international outcry, the China Coast Guard (CCG) asserted its intention to “continue to carry out law enforcement activities” near the Ayungin Shoal, reiterating China’s territorial claim over the area.
In the Philippines, senators, led by Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, strongly condemned China’s recent water cannon attack. President Pro Tempore Lorna Regina “Loren” Legarda emphasized the significance of the 2016 Arbitral Award, while Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada urged the government to consider adopting Senate Resolution 79.
Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros called for an upgrade in the capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy to navigate past the Chinese blockade.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) reported substantial achievements in its efforts to bolster national security in the West Philippine Sea. Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca highlighted successful challenges to over 14,000 vessels during air and surface patrols in critical maritime areas.
The Nolcom emphasized a strategic shift toward Territorial Defense Operations to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
STRESSING THAT CHINA must abide by international law, the United States Embassy on Saturday expressed its support for the Philippines following another incident of China’s harassment of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea.
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros also urged the two “houses” of Congress to immediately pass the proposed higher budget for the agencies safeguarding the country’s security and sovereignty.
“The PRC’s actions are inconsistent with international law and follow a pattern of dangerous operational behavior in the South China Sea,” the US Embassy said in a statement.
On Friday, November 10, the Philippines lodged another diplomatic protest against China after the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) deployed water cannons during a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal.
“This incident should push Congress to finally approve a higher budget for the intelligence funds for agencies that defend our territories. When our frontliners in the West Philippine Sea become stronger, so will our national security,” Hontiveros said.
The US Embassy also reiterated that the People’s Republic of China had no claim on Ayungin Shoal and must therefore respect all states’ freedom of navigation as guaranteed under international law.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
TENSIONS FLARED ANEW on Sunday when the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) claimed that Chinese vessels blocked and collided with Philippine boats sending supplies to troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea.
The NTF-WPS reported that the incident happened at around 6:04 a.m. when the “dangerous blocking maneuvers” of China Coast Guard vessel 5203 (CCGV 5203) caused the collision with the AFP-contracted indigenous resupply boat Unaiza May 2 (UM2) approximately 13.5 nautical miles east northeast of the BRP Sierra Madre.
“The provocative, irresponsible, and illegal action of CCGV 5203 imperiled the safety of the crew of UM2,” the NTF-WPS said in a statement.
The UM2 was conducting a regular and routine rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to BRP Sierra Madre which has been deliberately grounded at the Ayungin Shoal since 1999 during the time of then President Joseph “Erap” Estrada and has since become the symbol of Philippine sovereignty.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said that the United States “condemns PRC’s latest disruption of a legal Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, putting the lives of Filipino service members at risk.”
But China’s coast guard countered that it “lawfully” blocked Philippine vessels that were transporting “illegal construction materials” to BRP Sierra Madre at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. (ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
APPARENTLY EMBOLDENED by the successful resupply mission of Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday openly disputed China’s “indisputable sovereignty” claim over the Spratly Islands.
“The use of the word ‘indisputable’ is disputable,” AFP spokesman Colonel Medel Aguilar said in a statement.
Earlier, Beijing condemned a mission by four Philippine ships to resupply Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal which is called Ren’ai Reef by China.
“China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including the Ren’ai Reef, and its adjacent waters, and firmly opposes the illegal delivery of construction materials by the Philippines to the illegally grounded warship,” China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu declared.
China has been claiming the entire South China Sea, which includes the West Philippine Sea (WPS), citing its so-called 9-dash line.
But in 2016, an arbitral tribunal said the 9-dash line was invalid, adding that Ayungin Shoal was part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“For one, the UNCLOS says no to its claim. Second, the arbitral award invalidated it. Third is several countries have expressed their support to the Philippines and to the rules-based international order, while no one has openly supported China in its actions at the WPS,” Aguilar pointed out.
China has refused to recognize the ruling and even now asserting its so-called 10-dash line. On the other hand, the United States being an ally of the Philippines has reaffirmed its commitment to defend the country in case of an armed attack by China, citing the Mutual Defense Treaty. (ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
“When you’re weak, pretend that you’re strong.” — Sun Tzu
APPARENTLY APPLYING THE “ART OF WAR” by military genius Sun Tzu, China just laughed at the removal by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) of the floating barrier installed by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) in Scarborough Shoal following the marching order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año.
“What the Philippines did looks like nothing more than self-amusement,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a press conference on Wednesday, September 27.
Wang issued the statement when asked if it’s true that China removed the remnants of its floating barrier from the shoal as reported by the PCG and if China’s position on its claim over Scarborough Shoal has somehow changed.
“I would like to reiterate that Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal) has always been China’s territory… China will continue to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal),” he maintained.
Earlier, PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said, “The decisive action of the PCG to remove the barrier aligns with international law and the Philippines’ sovereignty over the shoal.”
BDM or Scarborough Shoal, located 229.6 kilometers (124 nautical miles) away from Zambales province, is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is considered one of the traditional fishing grounds for Filipinos.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as generally extending 200 nautical miles from shore, within which the coastal state has the right to explore and exploit, and the responsibility to conserve and manage, both living and non-living resources.
“The 2016 Arbitral Award has affirmed that BDM is the traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen. Thus, any obstruction hindering the livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk in the shoal violates international law. It also infringes on the Philippines’ sovereignty over BDM,” Tarriela pointed out. (ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of BBC News
By Junex Doronio
HEEDING THE MARCHING ORDER of President and Commander-in-Chief Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday night bravely removed the dangerous floating barrier which it said the Chinese Coast Guard placed in the southeast portion of the Bajo de Masinloc (BDM) or Scarborough Shoal, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said, “The decisive action of the PCG to remove the barrier aligns with international law and the Philippines’ sovereignty over the shoal.”
Located 229.6 kilometers (124 nautical miles) away from Zambales province, the BDM or Scarborough Shoal is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is considered one of the traditional fishing grounds for Filipinos.
“The 2016 Arbitral Award has affirmed that BDM is the traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen. Thus, any obstruction hindering the livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk in the shoal violates international law. It also infringes on the Philippines’ sovereignty over BDM,” Tarriela stressed.
On Monday evening, September 25, the PCG conducted a special operation to remove the “hazardous floating barrier” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) upon the instructions of President Marcos and Año, who also heads the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.
But China argued that Scarborough Shoal, which it calls Huangyan Dao, has always been its territory, and thus it has “indisputable sovereignty” over the island. (ai/mnm)