News Roundup 12 April 2024
Apr 12, 2024 • 4 min Read
‘Serious concern’: Philippines, US, Japan unite vs China’s provocations in South China Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines, United States and Japan condemned the “dangerous and aggressive” behavior of the People’s Republic of China in the South China Sea.
In a joint vision statement released on Friday morning (Manila time), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged China to uphold the “final and legally binding” 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling, affirming that the Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“We steadfastly oppose the dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea, as well as efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation,” the statement read.
“We reiterate serious concern over the PRC’s repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and the disruption of supply lines to Second Thomas Shoal, which constitute dangerous and destabilizing conduct,” it added.
This statement has been released as the three countries conclude the trilateral meeting conducted in Washington D.C.
The latest incident involving the Chinese Coast Guard at Ayungin Shoal occurred on March 23, when they deployed a water cannon against a resupply boat en route to the shoal to carry out a routine mission of replenishing supplies for the anchored BRP Sierra Madre. The incident resulted in three Navy personnel being injured.
The three countries also opposed China’s “coercion” to change the status quo in the East China Sea, particularly the administration of Japan in the Senkaku Islands.
They also called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between China and Taiwan.
Full Story at: ‘Serious concern’: Philippines, US, Japan unite vs China’s provocations in South China Sea | Philstar.com
Why would the US defend the Philippines? | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Relations between the United States and the Philippines have been in overdrive since President Ferdinand Marcos took power in June 2022, fuelled by China’s growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.
A key concern has been the South China Sea, where repeated confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels near disputed reefs have raised fears of a wider conflict involving the United States and other allies.
The issue was high on the agenda of Thursday’s first trilateral summit between the United States and treaty allies Japan and the Philippines.
AFP looks at the deepening of defense ties between the Philippines and the United States, and why Washington could go to war for Manila.
Does the US have to defend the Philippines?
The Philippines is a major focus of US efforts to strengthen regional alliances due to its close proximity to the South China Sea and self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory.
While Manila and Washington have a complex history that has seen relations see-saw in recent years, they have remained bound by a 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty.
Full Story at: Why would the US defend the Philippines? | Philstar.com
Philippine Navy tests new missile system | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy has tested a new missile system off Mariveles, Bataan, further strengthening the country’s maritime protection capabilities.
According to the Navy in a statement on Friday, the newly-installed Spike Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missile system on one of its Fast Attack Interdiction Craft platforms, was tested west of Luzon Point in Mariveles, Bataan on April 10.
“Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Spike NLOS missile system is equipped with advanced electro-optical and infrared sensors and offers day and night operational capabilities, enhancing its effectiveness in various combat scenarios,” the Navy said.
“This advanced missile system boasts an impressive range of up to 30 kilometers (approximately 18.6 miles), enabling operators to engage targets with pinpoint accuracy from stand-off distances,” it added.
Full Story at: PH Navy tests new missile system (inquirer.net)
Bulacan businessman found dead along Pampanga dike | INQUIRER.NET – MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga — Police on Thursday found the body of a Malolos City-based businessman along the Pasig-Potrero Dike in Cabetican village in Bacolor town in this province.
In an interview by the phone on Friday, Major Erwin Marzan, Bacolor chief of police, said the body was inside a white Ford Ranger pickup truck that has a visible bullet hole at the rear windscreen.
He said his office received a report about the white pickup truck with a gunshot hole parked at the side of the road from a concerned citizen on Thursday morning and immediately proceeded to the area to verify it.
When policemen opened the truck’s door, they found out that the man had a bullet wound below his chin that pierced through his head and the driver’s seat’s headrest and passed through the rear glass of the vehicle.
Full Story at: Bulacan businessman found dead along Pampanga dike (inquirer.net)
