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President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to release a chairman’s statement on the South China Sea at the end of the one-day Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) leaders meeting on Saturday. But Duterte’s chairman’s statement, which is meant to reflect the views of all ASEAN leaders, will not mention the international tribunal ruling nor China directly, according to a draft obtained by AFP. “We shared the serious concerns expressed by some leaders over recent developments and escalation […]
Southeast Asian leaders will express concern this week about an “escalation of activities” in the South China Sea but avoid directly criticizing China nor any direct mention of the tribunal ruling that rejected China’s sweeping claims on the disputed seas , according to the draft of a summit statement. The statement, set to be released on Saturday at the end of a two-day leaders’ meeting in Manila, reflects Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s efforts to […]
(Eagle News) — Isa ang tensiyon sa South China Sea sa inaasahang magiging agenda sa Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. Nitong mga nakaraang buwan ay nagpulong na ang mga kinatawan mula sa China at ASEAN para bumuo ng final draft ng code of conduct sa South China Sea na pawang inaangkin ng mga miyembro ng ASEAN region partikular na ang China at Pilipinas. Kung ang ilan ay positibo na malalagdaan na ang kasunduan […]
(Reuters) — Tensions in the South China Sea are expected to top the agenda at this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, which will be kicking off later this week in Manila amid tight security. Negotiators from China and ASEAN have met in Indonesia and Cambodia over the last few months to try to come up with a final draft of a Code of Conduct for the waterway, which is claimed by several […]
By Ted Aljibe Agence France Presse Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana flew to the disputed Pag-Asa island in the South China Sea on Friday, brushing off a challenge by the Chinese military while asserting Manila’s territorial claim to the strategic region. “This is just a normal visit within our territory, which we believe and we know is (our) territory,” the minister told reporters who accompanied him on the brief trip. China claims most of the South China Sea, […]
(Agence France Presse) — A group of Filipino fishermen have accused China’s coast guard of shooting at their vessel in disputed South China Sea waters, authorities said Friday. Philippine officials said they were investigating the reported attack on the Princess Johann boat, which the crew said occurred near a Chinese-occupied section of the Spratly archipelago on March 27. There were no casualties during the incident, authorities added. “(Princess Johann) was reportedly fired upon seven times by […]
(Eagle News Service) — Two former high-ranking government officials said on Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte was employing the right tact in dealing with China and the territorial issues in the South China Sea. Former president and now 2nd District Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said in a press conference that “as far as (she was) concerned, President Duterte knows what he’s doing.” “…I have no specific recommendation to make. I have a general recommendation to make which I made during the […]
The government is now verifying reports of a recent “harassment” by the Chinese Coast Guard of some fishermen in Mariveles, Bataan. “What’s important is to verify the circumstances not just the actual facts. But the circumstances behind that,” Presidential Secretary Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said. The Palace official said that it had already directed the Department of Foreign Affairs to verify the report. A group of fishermen in Mariveles, Bataan reported that a Chinese Coast Guard […]
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday sought to allay China’s fears the Philippines would disrupt the situation in the South China Sea, following his pronouncement he had ordered the military to “occupy 9 or 10” islands there. “I’d like to address myself to the Chinese government…Kaibigan natin si Amba. I ordered the occupation of the 10 or 9 islands that are just near our shores because there’s a heightening of the geopolitical issues and eventually […]
Reuters — Filipino fishermen at a disputed shoal have regained their livelihood by fishing inside a disputed shoal following closer bilateral ties between Manila and Beijing in recent months. Far out in the South China Sea, where dark blue meets bright turquoise, a miles-long row of fishing boats anchor near Scarborough Shoal, backed by a small armada of coastguard projecting China’s power in Asia’s most disputed waters. China still calls the shots at the prime […]
China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday (April 7) expressed concern after a statement from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s office said he had ordered troops to occupy uninhabited islands and shoals that the Philippines claims in the disputed waterway. The statement, released on Thursday (April 6), was, however, clarified by the Philippines defense department as saying that the order was only for the upgrade of existing facilities in the already inhabited islands of the Philippines. “Regarding the […]
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Friday that it plans to upgrade and improve facilities on islands it already occupies in the disputed South China Sea, not embark on a new land grab. President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday that he wanted “nine or 10” islands occupied and fortified. “The context with which we take the order is to improve on our already occupied islands, islets and features,” military spokesperson Colonel Edgard Arevalo […]
