News Roundup 25 August 2024
Aug 25, 2024 • 5 min Read
China Coast Guard vessels ram BFAR ship headed to Escoda Shoal | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines(Updated 5:04 p.m.) — Vessels of the Chinese Coast Guard have rammed and used water cannon at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ BRP Datu Sanday on Sunday while the ship was on its way to Escoda Shoal to bring fuel and food supply for the fishermen near the shoal.
Multiple video reports show that Chinese Coast Guard ship 21551 rammed Datu Sanday on its port side.
Other videos also show that multiple Chinese Coast Guard vessels fired water canon at the Philippine vessel simultaneously.
According to Chinese state media, its coast guard, which occupies Philippine waters, took “control measures” against the Datu Sanday.
“The Philippine vessel 3002 illegally intruded into the waters near Xianbin Reef in the Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government,” Chinese State Media CCTV said, using the Chinese names for the Sabina Shoal and the Spratly Islands.
The Philippine Coast Guard has yet to release a statement concerning the incident but reports said there were injuries or damage reported so far.
Meanwhile, last August 22, Chinese jets once again fired flares in a plane of the BFAR over Zamora Reef. This has been the third time Chinese air assets have harassed BFAR’s plane while conducting routing flights on Philippine airspace.
Full Story at: China Coast Guard vessels ram BFAR ship headed to Escoda Shoal | Philstar.com
National Security Council denies claims personnel rescued by China Coast Guard | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The National Security Council (NSC) for the West Philippine Sea has refuted the claim of Chinese state media that its coast guard rescued a crew of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002), on Sunday.
In a statement, the NSC said that the claim of the Chinese media that a crew of the BRP Datu Sanday’s ship fell overboard and was rescued by the China Coast Guard is “completely unfounded.”
“This misinformation serves as a clear illustration of the PRC’s (People’s Republic of China’s) willingness to distort the truth and engage in disinformation to bolster its public image,” NSC’s statement read.
The supposed rescue incident allegedly occurred during the ramming and water cannon attack of a China Coast Guard vessels at the BRP Datu Sanday.
The BFAR’s vessel is headed to Escoda Shoal, coming from Hasa-Hasa Shoal for a resupply mission, according to the NSC.
“The actions of the Chinese vessels were aimed at obstructing the BFAR vessel’s humanitarian mission to resupply Filipino fishermen with diesel, food and medical supplies,” the council’s statement read.
“These unprofessional, aggressive and illegal actions posed serious risks to the safety of the Filipino crew and the fishermen they were meant to serve. Despite these provocative maneuvers, the crew aboard the BFAR vessel maintains high morale and remains safe and unharmed,” it added.
Full Story at: National Security Council denies claims personnel rescued by China Coast Guard | Philstar.com
CHR urges KJC members to respect state forces, avoid escalating tensions | INQUIRER.NET –MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has reminded Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) members of the importance of respecting state forces by allowing them to do their duty and to refrain from actions “that may escalate tensions or obstruct the legal process.”
CHR issued its statement on Sunday after around 2,000 members of the the Philippine National Police (PNP) raided the KJC compound in Buhangin District, Davao City to serve arrest warrants against fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy and others. Quiboloy is wanted for child abuse, sexual abuse, and qualified trafficking cases.
“The CHR reminds the supporters of Pastor Quiboloy to refrain from harassing civilians who are simply performing their duties,” the commission said.
“This reminder follows reports that a special investigator from CHR Region XI was threatened and harassed by some KOJC members,” it added.
According to the commission, it is also closely monitoring the situation at the KJC compound in Davao City, reminding the PNP to exercise maximum tolerance and stressing that “no violence or unnecessary force shall be used in making an arrest” pursuant to the law.
Full Story at: KJC members told: Respect gov’t forces, avoid escalating tensions (inquirer.net)
PNP to Quiboloy’s ‘political backers’: Tell him to adhere to the law | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil on Sunday urged the “political backers and influential supporters” of fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy to exemplify true leadership by advising him to adhere to the law.
He also told the members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), which Quiboloy founded, to “align their actions with the teachings of the Bible” and to submit to lawful authority, as stated in Romans 13:1.
Vice President Sara Duterte and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, condemned the August 24 operation in the KJC compound in Davao City, where 2,000 members of the PNP served arrest warrants against Quiboloy and others.
“I would like to take this opportunity to address the political backers and influential supporters of fugitive Apollo C. Quiboloy. I respectfully urge you to exemplify true leadership by advising Mr. Quiboloy to adhere to the rule of law and to address the accusations against him through the proper legal channels,” Marbil said.
“As a nation, we are all bound by the rule of law, and we must uphold these principles without exception. This matter transcends legal obligations; it serves as a testament to the principle that no one is above the law,” he added.
Full Story at: PNP to Quiboloy’s political supporters: Tell him to adhere to the law (inquirer.net)
