News Roundup 10 December 2023
Dec 10, 2023 • 4 min Read
NTF-WPS condemns China’s dangerous maneuvers, water cannon attack | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) condemned the water cannon attack of China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) on Philippine vessels en route for a routine resupply and rotation (RoRe) mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on Sunday.
According to NTF-WPS, the CCG and CMM “harassed, blocked, and executed dangerous maneuvers” on the Philippine vessels in an attempt to unlawfully impede or obstruct the RoRe mission.
The involved Philippine vessels were BRP Cabra, Unaizah Mae 1, and M/L Kalayaan.
“We condemn, once again, China’s latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal that has put the lives of our people at risk,” NTF-WPS said.
“The systematic and consistent manner in which the People’s Republic of China carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question and significant doubt the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue,” it added.
Full Story at: NTF-WPS condemns China’s dangerous maneuvers (inquirer.net)
Kin of drug war victims being pressured to sign ‘waivers’ | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — As lawmakers debate whether the Philippine government should consider cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) as it looks into the country’s drug war, families of victims of that bloody campaign are being pressured by police to waive their right to pursue charges against them.
Philippine Human Rights Information Center (Philrights) is one of several groups helping mothers and widows of the victims build a case before the ICC against former President Rodrigo Duterte and other principals in his drug war.
In July, the ICC’s Appeals Chamber rejected an appeal by the Philippine government to stop its investigation, thus setting the stage for a possible trial of the enforcers behind the drug war, notably Duterte and his chief of police at the start of that campaign, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
‘One less headache’
But according to Philrights, families of the victims in at least 21 cases were pressured by law enforcement agents to sign waivers relinquishing their right to file charges against those officers.
At least half of them caved in because they were pressured, misled or subjected once again to trauma, Philrights said.
Full Story at: Kin of drug war victims being pressured to sign ‘waivers’ | Inquirer News
Peaceful resolution through UNCLOS, not water cannons, says EU envoy | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Peaceful resolutions of maritime disputes can be achieved through international mechanisms, not dangerous maneuvers and the use of water cannons, the European Union’s envoy said following the latest confrontation between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea.
The China Coast Guard (CCG) rammed and fired water cannons at Philippine vessels during a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, damaging parts of the boats and putting the lives of crew members at risk, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
Ambassador Luc Véron described Sunday’s incident as “deeply troubling” as he stressed the importance of dispute settlement mechanisms under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in maintaining the rule of law.
“The 2016 UNCLOS tribunal award is a valuable framework for peaceful resolution. Water cannons and dangerous sea maneuvers aren’t a legitimate alternative,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.
The Embassy of New Zealand also said it was deeply concerned at “multiple incidents of dangerous actions toward the Philippines.”
“These actions pose real risks to safety and lives, and risk undermining regional stability,” it said.
Full Story at: Peaceful resolution through UNCLOS, not water cannons, says EU envoy | Philstar.com
Christmas convoy in West Philippine Sea diverted | PHILSTAR.COM – SOUTH CHINA SEA, undefined — A convoy of civilian boats planning to deliver provisions to Filipino fishermen and troops in the disputed South China Sea left the Philippines on Sunday but changed course after a confrontation between Philippine and Chinese vessels.
Fishermen in 40 wooden outrigger boats were expected to join the “Christmas convoy” being led by volunteers on two larger vessels carrying food, water and other donations.
The convoy departed El Nido municipality on the western island of Palawan before dawn on Sunday and had planned to go past Second Thomas Shoal, where a handful of Filipino troops are stationed on a grounded warship.
A collision and confrontation between Philippine and Chinese vessels near the reef on Sunday, however, forced organisers to reroute the convoy to go directly to the Philippine-held Nanshan Island, where donations would be left.
Full Story at: Christmas convoy in West Philippine Sea diverted | Philstar.com
