By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday (24 Nov 2024) said that the National Security Council considers all threats to the President of the Philippines as serious.
“Any and all threats against the life of the President shall be validated and considered a matter of national security,” he added.
He made the statement after Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio mentioned about the “assassination” of Marcos, her wife Liza Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she is killed.
“We shall be closely coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to investigate the nature of the threat, the possible perpetrators, and their motives. We shall do our utmost in defense of our democratic institutions and processes which the President represents,” he added.
Año also enjoined the Filipinos to remain “calm and confident” that the security sector will ensure the President’s safety and will always uphold at all times the constitution, our democratic institutions, and the chain of command.
ia/mnm
MANILA — National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Sunday (16 June 2024) commended the G7 nations for their robust position against China’s aggressive maritime activities in the South China Sea. He highlighted the group’s support for international law and the rules-based global order.
Año praised the G7 communique from Apulia, Italy, which denounced China’s unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in the East and South China Seas through coercion or force.
He expressed gratitude for the G7’s condemnation of hazardous maneuvers and the use of water cannons against Philippine vessels, viewing it as a recognition of the threats faced by the Philippines and an affirmation of the need to uphold maritime law.
He reiterated that China’s extensive maritime claims in the South China Sea lack legal foundation, aligning with the G7’s opposition to China’s militarization and intimidation tactics in the region. Año emphasized the importance of adhering to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and recognized the 2016 Arbitral Award as a key legal precedent for resolving disputes peacefully.
Año concluded by reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to collaborating with the international community to maintain peace, stability, and security in the South China Sea, advocating for the area to remain a zone of peace and cooperation.
(el Amigo/mnm)
MANILA — The Philippines announced on Friday the establishment of a new Coast Guard post in the country’s northernmost region to enhance security in response to China’s escalating military presence near Taiwan over the past two years.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año emphasized that the outpost “will gather essential maritime data and intelligence, enabling the Philippine Coast Guard to respond effectively to threats such as illicit trade, trafficking, piracy, and foreign intrusions.”
Año highlighted the significance of this development, stating, “In 2022, the area around Itbayat witnessed a military build-up as China reacted to political developments between Taiwan and the United States.” The new station is situated on Itbayat, the northernmost inhabited island of the Philippines, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of Taiwan’s southern coast.
“Securing peace, stability, and freedom of navigation along the Luzon Strait is crucial for ensuring Philippine national security and economic prosperity,” Año added.
The move comes amid a protracted diplomatic dispute between China and the Philippines over conflicting claims in the South China Sea. China has constructed artificial islands and military installations in waters proximate to the Philippines.
Recent years have seen China’s Coast Guard engage in aggressive actions, including water cannon attacks on Philippine government vessels, resulting in damage and injuries to crew members.
Itbayat lies just outside the area marked by the controversial dashed-line map that China uses to assert its extensive claims over the South China Sea.
(el Amigo//MNM)
MANILA — In a firm stance, the Philippine government, represented by its National Security Council (NSC), rebuffed China’s claim of a purported “new model” aimed at de-escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea, citing an agreement with the previous administration.
Security Adviser Eduardo Año and National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea spokesman Jonathan Malaya stood resolute, asserting that any agreement allegedly forged between China and the Philippines during the previous administration, under then President Rodrigo Duterte, had been annulled and held no sway under the current leadership of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“The President has been unequivocal: This administration disclaims any knowledge of a clandestine or informal agreement, and if such a pact was made during a preceding administration, it has since been nullified,” Año asserted in a statement.
Año emphasized that if indeed there was any agreement, “those responsible for it” should elucidate its details to the Filipino populace.
However, he emphasized that the present administration cannot be held beholden to it.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA – The Marcos administration on Saturday distanced itself from “unsubstantiated or imaginary promises” of alleged secret non-binding gentlemen’s agreements or deals aimed at creating distractions, divisions, and conflict.
National Security Council (NSC) Adviser Eduardo Año stated in a Saturday (20 April 2024) release that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been unequivocal in asserting that his administration is unaware of any secret or gentleman’s agreement regarding its territories.
“If such agreements were made under a previous administration, they have since been nullified,” Año declared.
He emphasized that any such agreements if proven true, would be detrimental to national interest and the constitution.
“If such agreements exist, it is the duty of those accountable to elucidate them to the Filipino people, but they are not and will never be binding under this administration,” Año affirmed.
He urged all Filipinos to resist and counteract “corrosive narratives” seeking to undermine national interests.
“We must not succumb to tactics aiming to sow division in our nation and weaken our determination in asserting our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” he asserted.
During the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya reassured that the President enjoys full support from the police and the military.
“The National Security Adviser’s call is for us to shield our Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police from partisan political activities. Let us refrain from exploiting them because, in any democracy, the Armed Forces are expected to remain neutral and apolitical – regardless of any change in administration, the commander-in-chief remains the same,” Malaya stated.
“They will not waver in their allegiance to the President just because someone requests it. They are professionals who understand the chain of command, respect the military hierarchy, and remain loyal to the current Commander-In-Chief, President Bongbong Marcos,” Malaya added.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apparently taking seriously the declaration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to separate Mindanao from the Philippines, the National Security Council (NSC) has sternly warned that “resolute force” will be used to those who will attempt to dismember the Republic.
This developed as provincial governments of Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and Camiguin, have expressed opposition to Duterte’s plan to establish a “separate and independent Mindanao.”
“Any attempt to secede any part of the Philippines will be met by the government with resolute force, as it remains steadfast in securing the sovereignty and integrity of the national territory,” National Security Adviser (NSA) Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement.
He underscored the importance of national unity, security and stability, saying that calls for the division of the country “only serve to undermine our collective progress and prosperity.”
“The strength of our country lies in our unity and any attempt to sow division must be rejected by all sectors unequivocally,” Año said.
The NSC chief who had served as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff and secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under the Duterte administration, also warned that the national government “will not hesitate to use its authority and forces to quell and stop any and all attempts to dismember the Republic.”
On Friday (February 2), the four governors from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said the region is proud to assert its identity as an integral part of the Republic of the Philippines.
Governors Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi, Hajiman Hatama-Salliman of Basilan, Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur, and Abdulraof Macacua of Maguindanao del Norte also vowed to focus on regional development and peace, emphasizing unity and progress within the national framework.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In reaction to the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s claim that the activities by the Philippines and the United States were “provocative” and “irresponsible,” National Security Adviser (NSA) Secretary Eduardo Año has maintained that the joint PH-US maritime activities were conducted in an area in the West Philippine Sea that is within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Año stressed that they were consistent with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“How can they be deemed provocative?” The joint patrol emphasizes our ability to work seamlessly together to ensure the readiness of our joint forces to address evolving security challenges,” the NSA said.
On Thursday (January 4), China Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said these so-called “provocative military activities” of the Philippines and the US in the South China Sea won’t help resolve maritime disputes.
“We urge relevant countries to stop the irresponsible moves, and respect regional countries’ effort to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea,” he said.
But Año stood firm that the Philippine government was “merely exercising its sovereign right to engage in such activities within its territory and these exercises are aimed at enhancing our maritime capabilities and interoperability with the US which is a treaty partner to ensure the security and stability of the region.”
He further underscored that the joint patrols with the United States and potential future activities with other allied countries show the “mutual commitment to a rules-based international order and for promoting peace and stability of the region.”
“It also demonstrates the significant improvement in the Philippines’ defense capabilities and the development of a world-class navy and armed forces capable of carrying out its mandate to defend the territorial integrity of the Philippines and our maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
Año, however, pointed out that the Philippines remains open to diplomatic discussions with China and reaffirms its commitment to fostering good relations with all nations.
(el Amigo/MNM)