News Roundup 11 July 2023
Jul 11, 2023 • 4 min Read
7 years on, EU stresses significance of upholding arbitral ruling | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The European Union delegation in the Philippines reiterated the importance of fully complying with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ahead of the seventh anniversary of a landmark ruling that invalidated Beijing’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea.
In a statement Tuesday, the local EU delegation and the embassies of EU member states called the award of Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 a “significant milestone” that is legally binding and a “useful basis” for peacefully resolving disputes between parties to the proceedings.
“The EU reiterates the fundamental importance of upholding the freedoms, rights and duties established in UNCLOS, in particular the freedoms of navigation and overflight,” they said.
The arbitration ruling concluded that Beijing’s claim to almost the entire South China Sea— including parts that Manila claims and calls the West Philippine Sea—was groundless. China does not recognize the decision.
The EU also said it is “committed to secure, free and open maritime supply routes in the Indo-Pacific, in full compliance with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS, in the interest of all.”
Full Story at: 7 years on, EU stresses significance of upholding arbitral ruling | Philstar.com
Gov’t designates as terrorists 4 Cordillera IP activists | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Terrorism Council has designated four leaders of rights group Cordillera Peoples Alliance — who have reported being on the receiving end of harassment for years and who recently had rebellion charges against them dismissed — as terrorists.
Activists and human rights defenders criticized the designation, which they said shows how the controversial anti-terrorism law is being used against government critics and to suppress dissent.
In a press statement published on Manila Times Monday, the ATC said it had approved a resolution designating Cordillera activists Sarah Alikes, Jennifer Awingan, Windel Bolinget and Stephen Tauli as terrorists.
May Vargas-Casilao and a certain Jovencio Tangbanwan were also designated as terrorists.
The council accused them as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing New People’s Army.
Full Story at: Gov’t designates as terrorists 4 Cordillera IP activists | Philstar.com
ATC’s terrorist tag on Cordillera activists condemned | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Several progressive groups condemned the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) for designating several activists based in the Cordillera Administrative Region as terrorists, saying this is why they opposed the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020.
In a statement Tuesday, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said that Windel Bolinget, Jen Awingan, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, and Steve Tauli of the Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA) have been long-time activists, not armed fighters or terrorists, contrary to the ATC’s claims.
Teddy Casiño, Bayan’s chairperson and former lawmaker, said the ATC’s labeling of the four CPA members and two others as terrorists, based on allegations, confirms their fears that the ATA will be used against activists.
Casiño stated that the recent move by the ATC proves Bayan’s initial warning that the law has the potential to be misused. This could target activists, government dissenters, and members of progressive groups, along with virtually anyone the national security cluster perceives as a threat, he said.
Full Story at: ATC’s terrorist tag on Cordillera activists condemned | Inquirer News
BARMM governors want MILF decommissioning tackled in Cabinet discussions | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Governors of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Tuesday urged the national government to tackle the peace and order situation in the area, as well as the full decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in its Cabinet meetings.
BARMM governors said that this due to fears of potential unrest in the region, amid the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections — especially if the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) do not properly manage the decommissioning process.
“Tinatawag natin ang pansin sa pangunguna ni DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. at DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. na dalhin sa attention ng Cabinet, na mapag-usapan sa cabinet meeting maski kahit ilang minuto lang, makarating sa mahal na Presidente, ang problema sa peace and order na hindi epektibo ang decommissioning,” BARMM Governors’ Caucus (BGC) spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. said in a statement.
(We call attention to the leadership of DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. to elevate to the Cabinet, to be discussed in the cabinet meeting even if only for a few minutes, to reach the dear President, the problem of peace and order that decommissioning is not effective.)
Full Story at: BARMM governors want MILF decommissioning tackled in Cabinet discussions | Inquirer News
