SUMMARY LAOAG CITY – If China believes in talk and diplomacy to manage tensions, then why isn’t it committing to a date for a dialogue on the West Philippine Sea? Different government sources confirmed that a meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM-SCS) was being worked out for the first […]
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said on Sunday, May 5, that the Philippines is not a party to any new arrangement with China on managing the situation in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Teodoro made the statement a day after the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in Manila […]
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official said China should be held accountable for environmental damage in and near Pag-asa Island (Thitu), located 300 nautical miles from Palawan. “So, if there is one country that we need to [hold] accountable dito sa damage sa environment na ito, sa ating coral reef dito […]
SUMMARY There’s a new development in Beijing’s claims on issues concerning the West Philippine Sea. After insisting on a “gentleman’s agreement” and a “new mode” in Ayungin Shoal, Chinese officials are introducing a new term: a “temporary special arrangement” on Panatag or Scarborough Shoal. The revelation of another supposed agreement made under the previous Duterte […]
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Amid an onslaught of revelations, claims, truths, and half-truths from Beijing on the West Philippine Sea, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo wants to make one thing clear: Philippine actions in security, diplomatic, or economic ties are “for our own national purposes or national security” and not to play into superpower competition. […]
SUMMARY An unusual number of Chinese nationals have planted themselves in communities bordered by Philippine waters where China maintains a menacing military presence. They are estimated between 1,500 and 4,600, and many of them have been observed to be men in their prime and university enrollees. But officials of the host localities and schools, in […]
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – In their second meeting as the defense ministers of their four nations, the Philippines, United States, Japan, and Australia raised concerns about China’s presence in the West Philippine Sea, strongly objecting to the “dangerous use” of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, a joint readout from the four countries said on […]
SUMMARY HONOLULU, Hawaii, USA – Damage to Philippine vessels and injuries to their crew in the South China Sea is “irresponsible behavior” in disregard of international law, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday, May 2, weighing in on the latest flare-up involving China. Manila and Beijing have traded barbs almost daily since Tuesday’s […]
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Under former president Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines had apparently agreed to stay away from Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, a feature in the West Philippine Sea that’s just over 120 nautical miles away from mainland Zambales. The details of the apparent “temporary” deal were made public by the Chinese Embassy statement late […]
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines on Thursday, May 2, demanded that Chinese ships leave Panatag Shoal and its vicinity “immediately,” two days after China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels used high-pressure water cannons against two Philippine government vessels. The Philippines made the demand when the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned Chinese embassy Deputy Chief […]