News Roundup 04 June 2024
Jun 04, 2024 • 4 min Read
Chinese warships presence in West Philippine Sea doubles–PH Navy | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines—The total number of Chinese warships in the West Philippine Sea doubled compared to the previous monitoring period, the Philippine Navy said on Tuesday.
Data from the navy stated that there were 11 People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) warships monitored from May 28 to June 3 inside the western section of the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
This number was more than twice as large compared to the only five PLAN warships spotted the previous week, from May 21 to May 27.
Of the 11 warships, six PLAN ships were spotted off Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.
‘Unauthorized’ drills in Sabina Shoal
The huge number of warships was observed coinciding with the unauthorized PLAN exercise off Sabina Shoal over the weekend.
Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, who is the navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the PLAN held the launching of hovercraft and aircraft as well as maneuvers off Sabina Shoal on Sunday and Monday.
“First and foremost, they have no right to be within our EEZ,” Trinidad said in a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo.
“The conduct of an exercise (within another country’s EEZ) is unauthorized under Unclos, it is not allowed,” he also said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Full Story at: Chinese warships presence in West Philippine Sea doubles–PH Navy | INQUIRER.net
Hontiveros: Probe ex-president Duterte based on Duque’s revelation | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros pressed on Tuesday the Ombudsman to take into account former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s revelation that then President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the transfer of funds meant for the procurement of COVID-19 supplies during the pandemic.
In a statement, Hontiveros said she was no longer surprised about Duque’s revelation.
“Since Duque made this statement under oath, former President Duterte should be included in the investigation, especially since it can be proven that he was introduced to Pharmally officials by Michael Yang, his special adviser, in 2017,” said Hontiveros.
According to her, the former chief executive should at least explain the policies he considered for issuing such a directive.
“As the Ombudsman continues its Pharmally probe, I trust that it will take this revelation into account,” she said.
“Pasasaan ba at gugulong din ang hustisya at mapapanagot lahat ng lumustay sa pera ng bayan lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya,” she emphasized.
(Justice will be served and all those who used the public’s money, especially during the pandemic, will be held accountable.)
Full Story at: Probe ex-president Duterte based on Duque’s revelation (inquirer.net)
Trillanes to Roque: Go ahead, sue me | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV yesterday belittled the threat of former presidential spokesman Harry Roque to file counter-charges against him.
“He should reenter law school first so that he will not cause disgrace with his plans to file (counter-charges),” Trillanes said in a text message to The STAR.
Trillanes has filed libel and cyberlibel cases against Roque before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.
Roque vowed to charge Trillanes in court “for his acts of disloyalty to the republic.”
The Quezon City prosecutor’s office has summoned Roque and vlogger Byron Cristobal to a preliminary hearing.
Roque said he has yet to receive the subpoena as he asked why it was Trillanes who only received the summon.
“I did not know we were the first to receive the copy of the subpoena. I posted it on X as an update on the case,” Trillanes said, in response to Roque’s statement that there was nothing newsworthy about the issuance of the subpoena.
Full Story at: Trillanes to Roque: Go ahead, sue me | Philstar.com
Philippines says Chinese boats seized supplies airdropped to Filipino outpost | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine military said Tuesday that Chinese boats illegally “seized” food and medicine airdropped to a Filipino outpost in the South China Sea.
The alleged incident happened on May 19 at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where Filipino troops are garrisoned on a grounded navy vessel to assert Manila’s claims to the waters.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea and there has been a series of confrontations involving Chinese and Philippine vessels near contested reefs, often during Philippine resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal.
The Philippine military accused China of “aggressive and unprovoked interference” when two Chinese rigid-hulled inflatable boats allegedly came within 10 metres of the Sierra Madre vessel and seized an airdropped package meant for Filipino troops.
It was the first time supplies had been seized, the military said.
“This action of getting or confiscating our supplies is illegal,” military chief General Romeo Brawner told reporters.
“You’re not supposed to confiscate the supplies of another country, even in war.”
Full Story at: Philippines says Chinese boats seized supplies airdropped to Filipino outpost | Philstar.com
