News Roundup 23 June 2024
Jun 23, 2024 • 5 min Read
Marcos says Philippines won’t be intimidated amid China row | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos said Sunday the Philippines “will not be intimidated” by anyone after a violent clash between the Filipino navy and the Chinese coast guard in the West Philippine Sea.
The confrontation took place Monday off Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal as the Chinese sailors foiled an attempt by Philippine forces to resupply marines stationed on a derelict warship that was deliberately grounded atop the disputed shoal in 1999 to assert Manila’s territorial claims.
It was the latest and most serious incident in a series of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to nearly all of the strategically located waterway.
“We will never be intimidated or oppressed by anyone,” Marcos said in a speech during a visit to the headquarters of the Philippines’ South China Sea forces on Palawan island, the closest major landmass to the shoal.
Marcos awarded medals to 80 sailors who took part in the resupply mission, urging them to “continue to fulfil your duty of defending the nation” even as he said the situation has become “dangerous”.
Second Thomas Shoal lies about 200 kilometres (120 miles) from Palawan and more than 1,000 kilometres from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan island.
Full Story at: Marcos says Philippines won’t be intimidated amid China row | Philstar.com
Philippines won’t instigate war in West Philippine Sea — Marcos | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the nation on Sunday that the Philippines will not resort to war in addressing issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
He said that the country will address issues related to the disputed region through “peaceful means.”
“We are not in the business of instigating wars – our great ambition is to provide a peaceful and prosperous life for every Filipino. This is the principle that guides us,” the Marcos said.
“We refuse to play by the rules that force us to choose sides in a great power competition. No government that truly serves its people will invite danger or harm to lives and livelihoods,” he added.
The president made the remarks during a Talk to Troops event at the headquarters of the Western Command in Camp General Artemio Ricarte in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, the closest major landmass to the shoal.
A Philippine Navy servicemember, Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo, lost a thumb during the clash in the West Philippine Sea.
Facundo was honored with the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kampilan, which is awarded to government officials and personnel, as well as private individuals, in recognition of their invaluable or extraordinary service in furtherance of the President’s campaign or advocacy,” the Presidential Communications Office said.
Full Story at: Philippines won’t instigate war in West Philippine Sea — Marcos | Philstar.com
Bamban Mayor Alice Guo removed as NPC member | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The National People’s Coalition (NPC) has ordered the removal of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, from the roster of its members amid allegations linking her with an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub in her town.
In a letter dated June 22 but release to the media on Sunday, NPC chairman and former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III made the order after receiving a petition from Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap last June 17.
“The NPC will not tolerate any unlawful acts or any appearance of impropriety by its members that will undermine the principle of our party.” the letter from Sotto reads.
“In this regard, after due consultation with the leaders and members of our party and considering the gravity of charges and ongoing investigations against Mayor Guo, I hereby order the removal of Mayor Alice Guo from the roster of members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition,” he further said.
“In view thereof, I will be directing our Secretary General, Sec. Mark Landro Mendoza to implement the said order and immediately inform Mayor Guo of her removal from the party,” it added.
In her letter, Yap earlier said that it appears that Guo was unable to present any “compelling evidence which would disprove” the allegations against her.
“Her mere denial, without presentation of supporting evidence which should exculpate her name and put an end to the controversy, places her integrity at question at the moment,” the Tarlac governor’s request reads
Full Story at: Bamban Mayor Alice Guo removed as NPC member (inquirer.net)
Roque files counter-affidavit vs Trillanes’ libel complaints | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has appealed to the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office to dismiss the cyber libel and libel complaint filed by Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV against him citing “lack of probable cause.”
Roque likewise filed “graft and misconduct in office” charges against the former senator “for betraying the public trust over his 2012 high-stakes backchannel negotiations with Chinese officials.”
“As a public figure, Trillanes should not have been onion-skinned in reacting to my criticisms of his conduct in his backchannel mission to China,” Roque said, pointing out that his remarks against the former legislator “are fair” and “qualify as privileged communication.”
“My livestream discusses matters of public interest such as sovereignty and sovereign rights that deserve utmost discussion and should be insulated from libel judgment,” he added.
Last month, Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed libel and cyberlibel cases against “pro-Duterte” personalities and social media account holders due to “persistent online attacks and the dissemination of false accusations.”
Full Story at: Roque files counter-affidavit vs Trillanes’ libel complaints (inquirer.net)
