News Roundup 13 April 2024
Apr 13, 2024 • 5 min Read
Marcos: Duterte-China ‘secret Ayungin agreement’ could compromise sovereignty | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called the agreement between Beijing and former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the West Philippine Sea as a “secret deal,” expressing concerns that keeping it undisclosed could compromise Manila’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Marcos said this during a media interview in Washington D.C. Friday (US time) after the Chinese Embassy in Manila confirmed a so-called gentleman’s agreement with the past government regarding the Ayungin Shoal, a feature within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) claimed by Beijing.
“So, now, with the confirmation of the Chinese Embassy. We now know that there was a secret agreement. Now, this is, the second question that I have, is ‘What is contained in the second agreement?'” said Marcos to reporters.
“What did the Duterte administration promise China? … It is only now that we’ve confirmed of such an agreement. They call it a gentleman’s agreement, I call it a secret agreement.”
The Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, also being claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan, lies 105 nautical miles from Palawan, which is well within the West Philippine Sea inside the latter’s EEZ.
China maintains its presence within the area while harassing Filipino vessels, even when the Permanent Court of Arbitration already invalidated its claim for almost the entire South China Sea in 2016. The ruling effectively sided with Manila.
Marcos likewise said that he’s ready to sit down with Duterte to discuss foreign policy and the agreements in connection with the South China Sea. The former leader earlier claimed that he has possession of documents relating to all the deals entered into by his administration with the East Asian giant.
The current head of state also said that he disagrees with the idea of entering into a secret agreement since it could comprimise the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“It should be known by the local officials. It should be known by everyone. Because in that way you can… you are accountable. If it’s a bad decision, you’re accountable,” Marcos said.
“Tell us that you made a mistake. Right? What are you hiding? Why did you keep it a secret? What are you hiding? Why was it secret?”
Full Story at: Marcos: Duterte-China ‘secret Ayungin agreement’ could compromise sovereignty | Philstar.com
Biden proposes $128-M budget for EDCA projects — Pentagon chief | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that President Joe Biden is proposing a $128 million congressional allocation to fund projects at Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
Austin delivered the update during a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Washington, D.C., on Friday (local time), emphasizing their commitment to further strengthening the alliance with the country.
The announcement came after Austin participated in trilateral discussions with Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Thursday afternoon, the PCO said.
Austin explained that Biden’s budget request is intended to fund 36 projects aimed at expanding the scope of the defense cooperation agreement, marking a significant increase in investment for EDCA infrastructure.
“President Biden’s new pleasant request seeks 128 million dollars to execute 36 projects and enhance defense cooperation agreement size and that would more than double the amount that we’ve invested in EDCA infrastructure,” he said.
The PCO said that Austin reaffirmed Biden’s commitment to defending the Philippines, stating that “an armed attack” against Philippine public vessels, aircraft, armed forces and coastguard would invoke the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) in which Washington is obliged to defend its ally.
Full Story at: Biden proposes $128-M budget for EDCA projects — Pentagon chief | Philstar.com
Marcos to Duterte: No place for ad hominem attacks in important talks | INQUIRER.NET – WASHINGTON, D.C., United States — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not paying attention to any of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s ad hominem attacks, saying that low levels of discourse have no place in important discussions.
Marcos was asked in a briefing with the Philippine media delegation on Friday afternoon (Eastern time) about Duterte’s claims that he was a crybaby for going to the United States (US) in the face of tensions in the South China Sea.
According to the President, he has not shed any tears about it and said he does not mind these insinuations.
“You know, to be a crybaby, you have to cry. Did you see me cry?” Marcos said jokingly. “I don’t pay any attention to that. I really don’t. That means absolutely nothing to me.”
“And you know, again, the former president is a highly experienced lawyer. He should know that ad hominem attacks like that really have no place in this kind of this very important and very precarious discussion. They can say I’m ugly, then okay I’m ugly, but so what? Right? There is no place for such statements here, which are called ad hominem in law,” he added.
Despite the seemingly increasing rift between the past and present leaders, Marcos says he does not consider Duterte a political enemy.
Full Story at: Marcos to Duterte: No place for ad hominem attacks in important talks (inquirer.net)
Chinese nat’l with Interpol red notice barred from entering PH | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese national who has a red notice from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) was prevented from entering the country by officers of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
According to the BI, 32-year-old Li Mingzhu arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on April 12 when authorities discovered he had an Interpol red notice for voice phishing fraud.
Authorities said that Li was allegedly engaged in communications fraud, where he displayed different numbers on the screens of the ones he called during his schemes.
A prosecutor’s office in South Korea then ordered his arrest in April 2023 for violation of telecommunications laws.
“This case underscores the necessity of international cooperation in combating transnational crimes like voice phishing,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco stated.
Full Story at: Chinese nat’l with Interpol red notice barred from entering PH (inquirer.net)
