News Roundup 23 August 2023

News and Updates

Aug 23, 20234 min Read

Philippines rejects China’s humanitarian claims in Ayungin mission | PHILSTAR.COMMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines dismissed the China Coast Guard’s claims of humanitarian consideration in delivering essential provisions to troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre, stressing that Chinese ships still used “dangerous maneuvers” to block boats on a resupply mission. 

The Philippines on Tuesday completed a resupply mission to the remote outpost in Ayungin Shoal despite attempts by CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels to “block, harass, and interfere.” 

“It’s not true that they showed humanity or extended humanitarian assistance to allow our boats to enter [Ayungin Shoal]. Our supply boats and PCG vessels were clearly blocked by China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militias,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson on West Philippine Sea matters, told state broadcaster People’s Television.

The CCG said it made temporary arrangements for Manila to deliver necessities to BRP Sierra Madre, which it claims were done on humanitarian grounds.

“The resupply mission that we had yesterday is not a walk in the park. We still experienced dangerous maneuvers,” Tarriela said

The Coast Guard official added the Philippines does not need permission from China as Ayungin Shoal is within the country’s exclusive economic zone

Full Story at: Philippines rejects China’s humanitarian claims in Ayungin mission | Philstar.com

OSG exploring legal options on WPS dispute | PHILSTAR.COMMANILA, Philippines — The Office of Solicitor General said it is studying the country’s next move concerning the landmark arbitration ruling voiding China’s expansive maritime claims. 

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said that he formed a panel of “high-caliber” government counsels “to study the legal options the Philippine government may take in connection with the victory that we had secured in 2016 from the Permanent Court of Arbitration against our big neighbor.”

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts that Manila calls the West Philippine Sea, and has ignored the arbitral award. 

Guevarra also said the proposals to bring the matter to the United Nations General Assembly and have another round of arbitration need to be studied. 

Tensions between Manila and Beijing escalated again this month after the China Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannons at Philippine boats seeking to deliver food, water and fuel to troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. The incident prevented one of the boats from unloading much-needed provisions. 

The Philippines completed the latest resupply mission to the remote outpost in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday despite attempts by CCG and Chinese maritime militias to “block, harass, and interfere.”

Full Story at: OSG exploring legal options on WPS dispute | Philstar.com

DFA says PH activities in WPS ‘not subject to other country’s approval’ | INQUIRER.NETMANILA, Philippines — The activities of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) “is not subject to any other country’s approval,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.

DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza made the response on Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian’s statement that Beijing only has a problem with the transport of “large-scale building materials” and not with the delivery of humanitarian supplies for BRP Sierra Madre.

“The rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre are legitimate and routine activities in our EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” Daza said in a statement.

“The Philippine’s exercise of its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction within our maritime zones is not subject to any other country’s approval,” she added. “This is the norm.”

Full Story at: DFA says PH activities in WPS ‘not subject to other country’s approval’ | Global News (inquirer.net)

Hontiveros calls for increased funding for PH Coast Guard | INQUIRER.NETMANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday called for increased funding for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) amid continuous Chinese harassment in the West Philippine Sea, as well as the proliferation of pro-China “fake news peddlers.”

Hontiveros’ pronouncement came after she filed a resolution on Tuesday seeking an inquiry into the adoption of measures to strengthen the PCG to enable it to maintain a maritime transport network, enforce Philippine law, and improve maritime governance within the country’s maritime zones.

According to the senator, the PCG is the country’s first line of defense in its maritime territory. Despite this, Hontiveros pointed out that the PCG only has P10 million for its intelligence fund, which forces it to rely solely on human intelligence.

Full Story at: Hontiveros calls for increased funding for PH Coast Guard | Inquirer News


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