News Roundup 06 June 2024
Jun 06, 2024 • 5 min Read
76% of Filipinos see China as biggest threat to country | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Three out of four Filipinos consider China to be the biggest threat to the Philippines, a perception that has remained steady since December 2023, findings of a survey conducted by OCTA Research suggested.
Results of the poll conducted in March showed that 76% of adult Filipinos view China as the top threat to the country.
OCTA noted that although the figure was down slightly from a three-year high of 79% in December, the change fell within the margin of error of ±3%.
These findings come as maritime encounters between the Philippines and China grow more tense, with Beijing intensifying its pressure off Manila’s coastline. China asserts sweeping claims over the South China Sea, dismissing an international ruling rejecting its territorial basis.
“Comparing March 2024 with the figures during the first survey under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in October 2022, the percentage of adult Filipinos perceiving China as posing the greatest threat to the Philippines increased by 17% from 59% to 76%,” the polling firm said.
China is seen as a major threat by a large majority of Filipinos across the archipelago, with at least 71% of respondents in all major areas holding this view. Metro Manila recorded the highest percentage, with 86% of residents viewing China as the top threat.
In terms of socio-economic classes, 77% of those in Class D and 76% of those in Class E perceive China as the greatest threat. Meanwhile, 63% of Filipinos in Class ABC share this perception.
The Philippines recently denied a claim by Chinese state media that Filipino troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal pointed guns at the China Coast Guard (CCG).
Full Story at: 76% of Filipinos see China as biggest threat to country | Philstar.com
DFA urged to prepare for legal action amid Beijing’s South China Sea detention plan | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Tolentino called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to be ready with legal actions against China that threaten to detain trespassers in the South China Sea (SCS), which is said to be enforced starting June 15.
Tolentino warned that the plan of China to detain for 60 days without trial any fishermen caught near the areas they legally claim starting June 15, three days after the celebration of our Independence Day, will trigger a lot of violations.
“I am calling on the DFA to really study several precedents on this. We have the case of three Ukrainian naval vessels detained by Russia, and in 2019, we have the illegal detention of Mexican nationals by the United States,” he said.
Tolentino said the DFA must have a plan as early as possible to prevent the detention of Filipino fishermen and utilize the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
He said the DFA must tap international bodies to file its concern and require China to inform the Philippines if they detain Filipino fishermen, and their families must be informed.
Tolentino warned that China will be criticized by the international community if even one Filipino fisherman is detained.
Meanwhile, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said the government is ready to explore options other than diplomatic means if the situation between the Philippines and China in WPS worsens.
Full Story at: DFA urged to prepare for legal action amid Beijing’s South China Sea detention plan | Philstar.com
Scarborough Shoal trips continue for Zambales fisherfolk amid tension in WPS | INQUIRER.NET – SUBIC, Zambales — Despite the prevailing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, fishermen from this town have sailed to the contested Scarborough Shoal to continue providing for their families.
Boat skipper Michael Fuentes, 33, and his 11-member crew left on Tuesday for another fishing trip to the shoal, also called Panatag or Bajo de Masinloc, unbothered by the increasing presence of Chinese vessels around their traditional fishing ground.
At least 10 other boats departed Monday from Barangay Calapandayan as they took advantage of the good weather before the next typhoon.
Many fishermen in this province have been defying China’s fishing ban, which has been in effect from May 1 to Aug. 16 in the South China Sea, including parts of the WPS.
“That’s where we earn our livelihood, so even if fishing there is limited, we continue; we just stay away from the Chinese,” Fuentes told the Inquirer.
Fuentes and his crew had to endure a 24-hour journey to reach the shoal, spending P150,000 on diesel and supplies for their trip.
“I hope we make the most of it because it’s not like before. When the weather is bad, we can stay at the shoal instead of going home. Now, if the weather turns bad, we have to go back, and it’s a loss,” Fuentes added.
Full Story at: Scarborough Shoal trips continue for Zambales fisherfolk amid tension in WPS | INQUIRER.net
Guo’s ties with crime gangs ‘backed’ by ‘concrete evidence’ – Gatchalian | INQUIRER.NET –MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Mayor Alice Guo’s link to criminal syndicates in Bamban, Tarlac seemed to be supported by “concrete evidence” as discovered during an executive session of the Senate panel investigating her.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian disclosed this information during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday, although he declined to divulge specifics.
“Without going into the details pero lumalabas na merong kongkretong ebidensya na may link siya sa mga criminal syndicate na nag-organize nitong Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator sa Bamban. So meron siyang link dito sa mga organized crime,” he said.
(Without going into the details but it appears that there is concrete evidence that she has a link to criminal syndicates that organized this Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator in Bamban. So she has links to these organized crimes.)
Full Story at: ‘Guo’s ties with crime gangs backed by concrete evidence’ (inquirer.net)
