Author Archives: Elma Leogardo

About Elma Leogardo

Graduated from the University of the Philippines, AB 1979 cum laude, Ll B 1984. Trustee and former President of the Maritime Lawyers Association of the Philippines ("MARLAW"), Trustee of the Legal Management Council of the Philippines ("LMCP"), Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors ("ICD"), among others. Engaged in the private practice of law, principally in corporate & business law, tourism & hospitality, maritime & international law of the sea.

China minister mulling ‘consultations’ in PH

A verbal tussle in a Regional Security Forum in Brunei earlier this week did not stop Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario from inviting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit Manila for “consultations.” “I indicated to him that that perhaps it’s timely for him to do this because I have been to Beijing three times […]

China and Russia send joint force of 19 warships to Sea of Japan in largest ever naval exercise

Chinese destroyer Wuhan leads a fleet of naval ships, heading to take part in a joint exercise with Russia in the Sea of Japan. China and Russia have launched what Beijing described as its “largest ever joint naval exercise” as an armada of military hardware descended on the Sea of Japan. Read more at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/tom-phillips/

China: Fishing To Expand Maritime Territories? – Analysis

Synopsis Increasing Chinese maritime law enforcement capabilities in the South China Sea (SCS), ostensibly to protect the interests of its fishermen, may only exacerbate tensions in one of the world’s closely monitored regional flashpoints. This is especially so in the context of increasing commercial fishing operations by SCS littoral states and the absence of a […]

Coast Guard to acquire 10 patrol ships from Japan

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Coast Guard expects to wrap up talks with the Japan International Cooperation Agency within the next few months for the acquisition of 10 brand-new patrol boats from Japan in late 2014 or early 2015. This was disclosed to the Inquirer on Thursday by Cmdr. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson, who said “the talks are ongoing.” […]

China Agrees to Discuss ‘Code of Conduct’ Rules

This week the Association of Southeast Asian Nations appeared to make progress on addressing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Following meetings in Brunei, the group announced that China had agreed to discuss a set of rules known as the “code of conduct” to avoid conflict in the disputed waters. Last year’s ASEAN forum […]

China Agrees to South China Sea Talks Amid New Row With Manila

(Reuters) – China agreed to hold formal talks with Southeast Asian nations on a plan to ease maritime tensions on Sunday as the Philippines accused it of causing “increasing militarization” of the South China Sea, one of Asia’s naval flashpoints. The rebuke by Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario at a regional summit in Brunei came a […]

Onodera to visit Philippines, Hawaii to discuss China containment steps

In a bid to keep China in check, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera is making final arrangements to visit the Philippines and Hawaii from later this month, a government source said. During his trip to Manila from June 26 and Hawaii on July 1, Onodera will stress the need to ensure maritime safety based on the […]

ITLOS Tribunal Grows In International Adjudication

President Yanai gave his annual address to the twenty-third Meeting of the 165 States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on 10 June 2013. He informed the delegates that the Tribunal had worked over the last year on four complex cases related to a variety of issues, encompassing maritime […]

Cuisia to BRP Ramon Alcaraz crew: We are for peace but be prepared to defend PH territory

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – As the newest Philippine warship makes its way to the Philippines from Charleston, South Carolina, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr. told the officers and crew of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz that the Philippines will exert all efforts to ease the tension in the West Philippine Sea, but is […]

Aquino vows to fight for territorial sovereignty

IN APPARENT reference to territorial disputes at the South China Sea, President Benigno S.C. Aquino III on Tuesday vowed to fight for the Philippines’ sovereign rights during the 115th anniversary of the country’s independence. – Read moret: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=Aquino-vows-to-fight-for-territorial-sovereignty&id=71690#sthash.qZlw1dmP.dpuf