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)
Ni Liezelle Soriano
SINABI ni Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla na maaaring alisin ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas ang floating barrier na nasa timog-silangang bahagi ng Scarborough Shoal kung ito ay nasa loob ng Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
“Well, if it is within our economic zone, exclusive economic zone, then we will just declare it to be such and that it’s a violation of our right to exclusive economic zone, and we can remove the same,” ani Remulla.
Naglagay ang Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ng floating barrier sa timog-silangang bahagi ng Scarborough Shoal.
Sinabi ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) na ang floating barrier, na tinatayang may haba na halos isang kilometro, ay nakita ng mga tauhan nito at ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) noong Biyernes, Setyembre 22, 2023.
Binigyang-diin ni Remulla ang barrier ay nakasagabal sa mga aktibidad ng bansa.
“That’s interfering with something that has been granted to us in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. If it is within our exclusive economic zone, then that is an interference in our activities,” ayon kay Remulla. (ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
TO REMOVE OR NOT TO REMOVE the floating barrier allegedly installed by China in Scarborough Shoal?
This is the nagging question that must be answered by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who’s also the Commander-in-Chief.
On Monday, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela noted that the diplomatic process needs to be done in connection with the floating barrier.
“Should the NTF-WPS recommend to the President kung ano man ang gagawin nating action dito (whatever the action is), the PCG, BFAR [Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources], and even the Armed Forces of the Philippines will comply kung ano man ang magiging desisyon dito ng ating (whatever the decision is of our) national government,” Tarriela said in his interview with GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita.
He clarified that the PCG has yet to consult with PBBM and the national government regarding what must be done to the floating barrier.
“We gave the report already to the NTF-WPS wherein the Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense are all part of this inter-agency task force and chaired by the National Security Adviser,” Tarriela disclosed. (ai/mnm)
Image Screengrab from Philippine Coast Guard‘s Video
THE Philippines has strongly rebuked China for placing a “floating barrier” in the South China Sea, alleging that it obstructs Filipino fishing boats from entering the disputed region.
According to Jay Tarriela, the spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard, this barrier was discovered during a routine maritime patrol last Friday.
The barrier, stretching approximately 300 meters (984 feet or nearly 1 km), has drawn condemnation from both the Philippine coast guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Tarriela expressed the Philippine Coast Guard’s strong disapproval. He emphasized that the barrier, located in the southeastern part of Bajo de Masinloc, effectively prevents Filipino fishing vessels from accessing the shoal, depriving them of their crucial fishing activities and livelihood.
Backed by photographic evidence, Tarriela claimed that three Chinese coast guard vessels and a Chinese maritime militia service boat had erected the barrier after a Philippine government vessel arrived in the area.
Earlier that week, the Philippine coast guard had shared footage showing extensive damage to coral reefs, leading to accusations that China was responsible for severe environmental harm in the region.
Tarriela asserted that the “uncontrolled, illegal, and destructive fishing activities of the Chinese maritime militia” in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal directly contributed to the degradation and devastation of marine ecosystems in the West Philippine Sea.
He also suggested that the presence of crushed corals indicated potential dumping, possibly involving the same corals that were previously extracted, processed, and then returned to the seabed.
In response to inquiries regarding the coral destruction, China’s foreign ministry dismissed the allegations as “unfounded and baseless” during a regular briefing, urging Philippine authorities not to use fabricated information for political purposes.
Filipino fishermen have reported that Chinese vessels typically deploy floating barriers when they observe a significant number of Filipino fishermen in the area.
As of now, China has not issued a public statement on this matter. (ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
AFTER BEING CALLED A HYPOCRITE by Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday shot back at China’s denial that its Chinese Maritime Militia is polluting the waters and the Philippines is only creating “drama” over the destruction of corals in parts of the West Philippine Sea.
“Stop making allegation that BRP Sierra Madre is polluting the water, but blame it to your numerous Chinese Maritime Militia swarming the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said.
On Saturday, September 23, Teodoro called China a hypocrite over its remarks on environmental damage in the WPS, saying these “will only heighten the mistrust by the Filipino people and the rest of the world of the Chinese Government.”
Earlier last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning has flatly denied allegations that the Chinese were responsible for the damage to corals in the West Philippine Sea while demanding the removal of BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal.
“The Philippines’ accusations have no factual basis. We urge relevant party of the Philippines to stop creating a political drama from fiction,” Mao said on Thursday, September 21.
She added that if the Philippines truly cares about the environment, it should remove the BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal, the formation that China called Ren’ai Jiao.
Mao said the Philippines should stop the vessel “from discharging polluted water into the ocean and not let the rusting warship bring irrevocable harm to the ocean.”
She was referring to BRP Sierra Madre, which was deliberately grounded at the Ayungin Shoal since 1999 during the administration of President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, and it has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory since then.
The past administrations of former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Rodrigo Roa Duterte noticeably did not add other physical symbols of Philippine sovereignty in the WPS.
“The destruction of corals goes far beyond drama. It is a violent act and a serious crime against humanity,” Tarriela stressed. (ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of: Senate of the Philippines
MANILA — Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino asserted on Friday that China is making efforts to sidestep the coral harvesting issue in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) by suggesting that others “stop the political drama.”
“It appears they are attempting to evade the matter. Not only photographic evidence but scientifically grounded proof demonstrates that the damage inflicted upon Iroquios, Escoda, and Sabina was not solely the result of natural waves or currents, but rather human intervention,” Tolentino said during an interview with CNN’s The Source.
Senator Tol emphasized that although “everything must be substantiated,” preliminary findings indicate possible Chinese involvement.
As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, Tolentino remarked, “There is no denying that they are the sole interested party, given that Escoda and Sabina serve as critical waypoints on the route to Ayungin Shoal.”
According to Tolentino, these areas hold strategic significance for potential gas and oil exploration.
Furthermore, Senator Tol underlined that the Philippines needs to initiate legal proceedings to seek compensation.
“China will only be held accountable if conclusive evidence is presented to the global community. This could place them in a position where they are compelled to take appropriate action,” Senator Tol concluded. (ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of: Inquirer.net
By: Junex Doronio
AS IF TAUNTING the Philippines, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning has flatly denied allegations that the Chinese were responsible for the damage to corals in the West Philippine Sea while demanding the immediate removal of BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal.
“The Philippines’ accusations have no factual basis. We urge relevant party of the Philippines to stop creating a political drama from fiction,” Mao said on Thursday, September 21.
She added that if the Philippines truly cares about the environment, it should remove the BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal, the formation that China called Ren’ai Jiao.
“If the Philippines truly cares about the ecological environment of the South China Sea, it should tow away the illegally grounded warship at Ren’ai Jiao as soon as possible,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stressed.
She said the Philippines should stop the vessel “from discharging polluted water into the ocean and not let the rusting warship bring irrevocable harm to the ocean.”
The BRP Sierra Madre, which was deliberately grounded at the Ayungin Shoal in 1999 during the administration of President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.
To recall, the Philippines first filed a complaint against China in 2013 for its massive claims in the South China Sea under its nine-dash line claim.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidated Beijing’s claim, and said that its nine-dash line has no legal basis under international law. (ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of: wikipedia.com
THE Chinese People’s Liberation Army – Navy (PLA-N), which holds the title of the world’s largest navy, has been experiencing rapid growth, surpassing both India and the United States in terms of shipbuilding capabilities.
The speed at which the PLA-N integrates new warships into its fleet has often been likened to “adding dumplings to a simmering soup.” A leaked presentation slide from US Navy Intelligence suggests that Chinese shipyards’ construction capacity exceeds that of the US by a staggering 232 times.
Sometime between 2015 and 2020, China overtook the United States in terms of the number of warships in its naval fleet, and the disparity between the two navies has continued to widen. According to the Pentagon’s annual report on Chinese military and security developments submitted to the US Congress, the Chinese Navy boasted 350 warships compared to the 293 warships in the US Navy battle force.
This significant gap of 60 warships between the two navies is projected to increase every five years, with China estimated to possess around 475 naval vessels by 2035, in contrast to the 305-317 warships expected in the US Navy.
The Fox News-published slide reveals that Chinese shipyards possess a capacity of approximately 23.2 million tons, while the US lags far behind with less than 100,000 tons, underscoring China’s shipbuilding capabilities as more than 232 times greater than that of the United States.
The slide also provides a side-by-side comparison of the “battle force composition” of the two nations’ navies, encompassing combatant ships, submarines, mine warfare vessels, major amphibious ships, and large combat support auxiliary ships.
Another section of the slide estimates the proportion of each country’s shipyards dedicated to naval production. China allocates roughly 70 percent of its shipbuilding revenue to naval output, whereas the United States allocates about 95 percent of its shipbuilding revenue to the same.
The US Department of Defense had anticipated this development, as retired Admiral Phil Davidson, the former commander of Indo-Pacific Command, predicted in 2021 that the next six years would witness the peak of China’s naval threat.
The growing maritime capabilities of the PLA-N align with its ambitious quest for additional overseas bases, including Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, Karachi and Gwadar in Pakistan, and potentially Ream in Cambodia. These efforts aim to address strategic choke points in the Indian Ocean Region and the broader Indo-Pacific.
(Source:The EurAsian/Jr Amigo/ai/mnm)
Photo Screenshot from: Philippine Coast Guard‘s Facebook Video
By Junex Doronio
STRESSING THAT HABITAT DAMAGE harms ecosystems, US Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson on Tuesday expressed concern on the reported destruction of the seabed at Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) describing it as “troubling.”
“We are working with our #FriendsPartnersAllies to protect [Philippine] natural resources,” Carlson said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
It was gathered that the US this month turned over a P250-million training facility in Bulacan to the Coast Guard, where personnel would be taught navigation, law enforcement and ship maintenance.
On Monday, September 18, a furious Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri asked China to respect and protect coral reefs which takes hundreds of years to breed following reports that some Chinese vessels were engaged in massive illegal harvesting of corals in Rozul Reef located within the Philippines’ EEZ.
For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also said it is seriously concerned about reports of destruction of corals in Rozul Reef.
Without mentioning China, the DFA called on “everyone concerned” to act responsibly and cease all activities that can damage the marine environment. (ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of: Senate of the Philippines (Facebook Page)
By Junex Doronio
WITHOUT MINCING WORDS, a furious Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Monday called on China to respect and protect coral reefs which takes hundreds of years to breed following reports that some Chinese vessels were engaged in massive illegal harvesting of corals in Rozul Reef located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“Nakakainis talaga ang ginagawa nila sa ating West Philippine Sea. Pati ba naman ‘yung corals natin ay sinisira nila, hina-harvest nila,” Zubiri exclaimed.
On Saturday, September 16, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos disclosed the resurgence of Chinese vessels swarming around the area and their massive harvesting of corals.
With this latest Chinese incursion, Carlos said that they would increase military presence in the Philippine territory.
The Senate President called the activities as “acts of sabotaging” the Philippines’ natural resources.
“It’s a food security issue. Pag winasak na po nila iyon, eh anong magagawa ng ating mga mangingisda? Wala na pong fishing grounds dahil wala na pong breeding grounds ang ating mga isda. Definitely, they are sabotaging our natural resources. They are also sabotaging our ability to feed our people. Dahil mawawalan na po ng isda itong mga lugar na ito,” Zubiri said. (AI/MN)
Anticipating an arduous contest, former NBA player Kyle Anderson is prepared for a formidable clash as the Chinese national team confronts Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Basketball World Cup classification phase at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on September 2, Saturday.
As a naturalized player for China, Anderson acknowledges the prowess of the Philippine team and foresees a demanding encounter, especially with the fervent support of the home crowd backing the Philippines.
“The atmosphere is going to be electric. The Philippine team is highly skilled, and they enjoy strong backing from their fans, so this match is bound to be challenging,” stated Anderson, who also competes for the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves.
In addition, Anderson, who is known by his Chinese name Li Kaier, eagerly awaits the opportunity to face off against fellow NBA player Jordan Clarkson, the naturalized player for the Philippines.
“I’ve been competing against him (Clarkson) since our college days, so going up against him is always enjoyable. Competing is a thrill. I’m eager to get ready for the game. We’re professionals, so I’m confident that all of us will be prepared,” Anderson expressed.
Similar to the Philippines in Group A, China also suffered three consecutive losses in Group B, culminating in an 89-107 defeat to Puerto Rico on August 30.
Nevertheless, both the Philippines and China still have a chance to secure direct berths in the Olympics, but they must triumph in their remaining classification phase matches to remain viable contenders.
Standing at 6 feet 7 inches, Anderson emphasized that China must address their shortcomings and strive for a consistent performance throughout the entire 40-minute game.
“The challenge lies in maintaining that consistency—it’s easier said than done. We need to find a way. There were instances where we demonstrated impressive gameplay, but we also had moments of lapse, myself included. We need to overcome this,” Anderson explained.
“It’s crucial that we prevent guards from infiltrating the paint. I personally need to enhance my defensive skills, and I believe this is a collective effort. It’s not confined to one or two players; it’s a collaborative endeavor that we need to resolve together.” (ai/mnm)
In the lead-up to the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes has been forthright in expressing the team’s objective — to emerge as the top Asian team. Such an achievement would secure a coveted spot in the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Gilas Pilipinas finds itself grouped with the Dominican Republic (ranked 23rd in the world), Angola (41st), and Italy (ranked 10th) in Group A during the opening round.
Meanwhile, China, a 16-time Asian champion, is placed in Group B alongside sixth-ranked Serbia, Puerto Rico (ranked 20th), and South Sudan (ranked 62nd).
Following the group stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the second group phase, while the bottom two teams will enter the classification phase.
Gilas faces challenges, including injury concerns and the absence of key players like Kai Sotto and NBA star Jordan Clarkson from team practice. With just a month left, the team is striving to develop a cohesive unit that can secure crucial victories during the group stage.
Before the FIBA World Cup, the Philippine team is scheduled to participate in a pocket tournament in Guangdong, China, where they will compete against Iran, Lebanon, and Senegal.
Additionally, they recently completed a 16-day Europe training camp, playing tuneup matches against Estonia, Finland, Ukraine’s under-20 team, and two Lithuanian squads, ending with a 3-3 record in those matches.
Reyes also confirmed that Gilas will have a friendly match against Mexico, just one week before their FIBA World Cup debut against the Dominican Republic on August 25th at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The stage is set for an intense battle as Gilas Pilipinas aims to seize the lone Olympic slot and potentially collide with powerhouse China in the process.
(ai/mnm)