News Roundup 09 July 2023
Jul 09, 2023 • 4 min Read
AFP, Coast Guard to increase patrols after Chinese vessels swarm West Philippine Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard will ramp up maritime patrols in the Iroquois Reef following the latest swarming of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, an official said Sunday.
The Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported last week that 48 boats believed to be part of the Chinese maritime militia were found around Iroquois Reef, also known as Del Pilar Reef, on June 30.
Iroquois Reef is located south of oil- and gas-rich Recto Bank and within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
“Currently, based on our last monitoring report, the Chinese maritime militias stay in that area. The PCG and the AFP for this coming week will be intensifying our patrol to make sure that they will leave Iroquois Reef,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS matters, said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
Tarriela said that part of Chinese maritime militia’s strategies is swarming a maritime feature “for a very long period of time.”
Full Story at: AFP, Coast Guard to increase patrols after Chinese vessels swarm West Philippine Sea | Philstar.com
USAID donates P7 million for Philippines human rights promotion | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The United States government recently donated nearly P7 million to help promote human rights in the country through the Philippines-United Nations Joint Program for Human Rights.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson announced on July 6 that the contribution was made through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
The funds were given to support the Philippine government in strengthening accountability mechanisms and promoting human rights in the country.
US President Joe Biden expressed support for advancing human rights in the Philippines during his recent meeting with President Marcos in Washington.
Promoting respect for human rights and the rule of law, as well as ensuring the safety of civil society leaders and marginalized communities, are among the key priorities in the US-Philippines relationship.
“Human rights are a critical pillar in development, and we believe it is not possible for any country to rise to its full potential without them,” Carlson said.
“We are proud to join the international community in supporting the Philippines to protect human rights and uphold every person’s individual dignity,” she added.
Lawmaker: NBI apology not enough | INQUIRER.NET – A Makabayan lawmaker won’t let the National Bureau of Investigation get away with just an apology over the “sexy” dance number at its command conference in a posh hotel last month.
House Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Arlene Brosas is pushing a House probe of the controversial incident, stressing that NBI Director Medardo de Lemos’ apology won’t suffice.
“It’s not enough for the NBI chief to say sorry for that sexy dance number after the NBI command conference. Someone should be held accountable. We need an independent and thorough investigation on the matter,” Brosas said.
In a statement on Saturday, the lawmaker stressed that all government agencies and officials “must strictly adhere to the code of conduct and ethical standards.”
Full Story at: Lawmaker: NBI apology not enough | Inquirer News
PCG: Swarming of reefs may be start of occupation | INQUIRER.NET – A senior Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official on Saturday said the swarms of dozens of Chinese vessels close to the resource-rich Recto (Reed) Bank off Palawan province may be a prelude to China’s illegal occupation of the area.
PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela, maritime security adviser to the coast guard chief, said in an interview with dzBB radio that it was the first time that such a large number of Chinese vessels were seen at Del Pilar (Iroquois) Reef and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.
“The only analysis that we can provide for the presence of these Chinese maritime militias is to swarm a particular maritime feature and to occupy it,” said Tarriela, who is also the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.
The Western Command (Wescom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported on Friday that more than 50 Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels were seen “loitering” at Del Pilar and Escoda south of Recto Bank west of Palawan province.
It said that the presence of such a large number of Chinese vessels, which were spotted by a Philippine reconnaissance plane on June 30, was “concerning and alarming development” and posed a “security threat” to that part of the country.
Full Story at: PCG: Swarming of reefs may be start of occupation | Inquirer News
