By Junex Doronio

THE PHILIPPINES’ LONGTIME ALLY and the world’s prime superpower United States of America has commended the brave act of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in removing the floating barrier in Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

The floating barrier was installed last week by the China Coast Guard and prevented Filipino fishermen from operating in the international common fishing ground.

Describing the removal of the floating barrier installed by CCG as “a bold step in defending their own sovereignty” on the part of the Philippines, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey Ford also reaffirmed Washington’s security commitments to its Asian ally during a congressional hearing on Thursday (Friday in the Philippines).

“The department has been incredibly clear that when it comes to our treaty commitments to the Philippines, we believe an armed attack against the Philippine Armed Forces, public vessels, and aircraft, apply to the South China Sea. That includes the Philippine Coast Guard,” Ford told a House of Representatives subcommittee on foreign affairs.

On Monday, September 25, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) removed the floating barrier put up by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) following the order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año.

Notably, even retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio who once led the “anti-Marcos” 1Sambayan opposition coalition in 2022 is now supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s move to strengthen the country’s alliances with other states amid China’s moves in the West Philippine Sea.

The Scarborough Shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, is 198 kilometers west of Subic Bay in Zambales province, thus part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), although China claims it otherwise.

“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,” PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela earlier maintained.

Unfortunately, China refuses to honor the 2016 Arbitral Ruling up to this very day and has been making efforts to block supply ships from the Philippine Navy right inside territorial waters in the WPS several times recently.

(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)

By Benjamin Cuaresma

MANILA — Militant groups calling for the repeal of the controversial Rice Liberalization Law and removal from office of two key members of President Marcos’ economic team, got a surprise visit from an unlikely guest on the picket line in the person of Senator Imee Marcos.

And their special guest was generous too.

Sen. Imee, elder sister of President Bongbong Marcos, distributed food packs to the protesting farmers from various organizations who braved the scorching sun Tuesday in front of the Finance Department building to press for the repeal of the RLL.

They also called on the Marcos admin to terminate Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), the two officials are being accused of favoring importation by advocating for reduced tariffs on rice and other imported agricultural products.

SINAG Chair Rosendo So expressed concerns that while President Bongbong Marcos continuously emphasized the need to strengthen local palay production, his top economic team continued to promote importation.

So pointed out that the real beneficiaries of tariff cuts were individuals involved in smuggling and hoarding of rice, not the farmers, who would suffer, especially during harvest time. (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)