News Roundup 03 November 2023
Nov 03, 2023 • 4 min Read
China’s disinfo campaign shows growing unease about Philippines’ WPS actions | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — An expert observed that China’s recent disinformation campaign has raised a growing anxiety about the Philippines’ efforts in the West Philippine Sea.
In an interview with ANC’s “Hot Copy” on Friday, geopolitical expert Don Mclaine Gill said that these narratives persist due to China’s “discontent” with the Philippines openly asserting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.
“Based on its disinformation campaigns, it makes it seem like it is in Manila’s best interest not to do anything about securing its sovereign rights,” Gill said.
“We are defending what is rightfully ours without provoking the status quo,” he said.
Despite these indicators, the expert warned that the Philippines should remain vigilant and not become complacent.
“We have to illustrate that we are serious about this, we are steadfast in defending our sovereign rights and cooperating with like-minded partners that have similar interests at a time when the Indo-Pacific maritime security continues to face significant fluctuations,” he said.
Full Story at: China’s disinfo campaign shows growing unease about Philippines’ WPS actions | Philstar.com
New Zealand warship makes 3-day visit to Philippines | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — New Zealand navy ship made a “goodwill visit” to the Philippines after visiting Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore.
According to the New Zealand Embassy, the three-day goodwill visit presents New Zealand’s “dedication to maritime security, regional stability, and fostering diplomatic relations in the Indo-Pacific.”
“The visit demonstrates our increasing engagement in Southeast Asia and of course, the Philippines is an important part or country in the region. New Zealand would like to engage with like-minded countries, countries which share our values and we support each other in maintaining rules-based order,” Commander Robert Welford, Commanding Officer of HMNZS Aotearoa, said.
HMNZS Aotearoa participated in Operation Crucible, the New Zealand Defence Force’s largest naval deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
“The HMNZS Aotearoa’s visit to the Philippines underscores New Zealand’s dedication to maritime security, regional stability, and fostering diplomatic relations in the Indo-Pacific. Ito ay nagsisilbing patunay sa matibay na samahan ng New Zealand at Pilipinas,” New Zealand Ambassador Peter Kell said. (It serves as a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between New Zealand and the Philippines.)
Full Story at: New Zealand warship makes 3-day visit to Philippines | Philstar.com
Marcos looking forward to expanding ties with Japan, US amid Kishida’s visit | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that he looked forward to trilateral engagements with Tokyo and Washington D.C. for the rest of 2023.
After Kishida’s arrival in the Malacañan Palace, the two state leaders had a bilateral meeting.
“Our meeting today builds upon the momentum of the recent past and we look forward to expanding cooperation with you, especially in key areas, such as economic development, development cooperation, and security cooperation,” said Marcos in his opening statement.
“While we continue to enhance our bilateral relations, I am pleased that the trilateral engagements at various fronts among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States have commenced — this started this year,” he added.
Both the United States and Japan are key allies of the Philippines in its territorial row with China in the West Philippine Sea.
Full Story at: Marcos looking forward to expanding ties with Japan, US amid Kishida’s visit | Inquirer News
Israel PM hails advance into Gaza City as Hamas fighters attack from tunnels | INQUIRER.NET – GAZA/JERUSALEM – Israeli forces have pushed further into Gaza City in their assault on Hamas in the north of the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday, but they faced resistance from militant hit-and-run attacks from underground tunnels.
The Palestinian death toll from nearly four weeks of Israeli air and artillery strikes on the blockaded enclave meanwhile rose past 9,000 on Thursday, Gaza health authorities said.
The Gaza Strip’s main population centre in the north has become the focus of attack for Israel, which has vowed to annihilate the Islamist group’s command structure and has told civilians to flee to the south.
“We’re at the height of the battle. We’ve had impressive successes and have passed the outskirts of Gaza City. We are advancing,” Netanyahu said in a statement. He gave no further details.
Israeli military chief Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi said in a televised statement: “Our forces are now in the heart of a ground operation in the northern Gaza Strip.”
Full Story at: Israel PM hails advance into Gaza City as Hamas fighters attack from tunnels | Inquirer News
