News Roundup 17 August 2023
Aug 17, 2023 • 4 min Read
Experts urge Philippines to explore other avenues to assert rights over West Philippine Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Diplomatic talks between the Philippines and China over the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) should now be “off the table,” an expert claimed, after a Chinese vessel fired water cannons at two Philippine ships that were escorting boats during a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal.
China’s “belligerent” behavior should put a halt to any future discussions on how to maintain peace at the islands, which an arbitral tribunal in 2016 ruled to be territories of the Philippines, independent political analyst Michael Henry Yusingco told Philstar.com in an interview.
“‘Yung pakikipag-usap sa China is wala nang pupuntahan precisely because of China itself, because of the bad faith of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party),” Yusingco, formerly with the Ateneo Policy Center and now based in Australia, said.
(Talks are going nowhere between the Philippines and China precisely because of China itself, because of the bad faith of the CCP.)
“Given the bad faith and belligerence of the CCP, bilateral talks should be off the table. Backchannel talks should be off the table,” he added.
A Chinese vessel blocked on August 6 a Philippine ship from completing its routine resupply mission to Filipino troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre, which has been permanently stationed at Ayungin Shoal since 1999. A second ship was allowed to move forward.
On August 7, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that the Philippines sent a note verbale to China, his 101st since he took office on June 30, 2022, through their official representatives to protest the attack.
But for Froilan Calilung, a political science professor at the University of Santo Tomas, it is time for the government to look for other ways to assert the country’s right over the islands.
“[N]akakalungkot isipin na nagpapadala naman tayo ng mga diplomatic statements, note verbales every now and then, but it’s always falling on deaf ears,” he said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City on August 12.
“And I think ang ine-exploit dito ng China, I think, ‘yung resilience natin. Alam nila na magiging upset tayo, maiinis tayo, pero lilipas din ‘yan until the next incursion or provocation comes in,” he added.
(It’s saddening to think that despite sending diplomatic statements and note verbale every now and then, they’re both always falling on deaf ears. And I think China is exploiting our resiliency. They know that after some time of being upset, it would eventually fade away until the next incursion or provocation comes in.)
Full Story at: Experts urge Philippines to explore other avenues to assert rights over West Philippine Sea | Philstar.com
Marcos calls for deeper partnership on defense, security with Japan | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the Philippines’ relations with Japan should be strengthened, focusing not only on trade and investment, but also on matters of security and defense.
Marcos made the remarks during the courtesy call of Komeito Party chief representative Yamaguchi Natsuo in Malacañang on Wednesday, the Presidential Communications Office said.
“I suppose that now times have changed and those agreements have gone beyond just trade, just business, just investment. And we now have to concern ourselves with issues of security and defense in our region,” Marcos was quoted as saying.
The Philippines has acquired defense assets from Japan under an agreement signed in 2016. Tokyo also helped the Philippine Coast Guard strengthen its maritime surveillance through the provision of radar systems.
Full Story at: Marcos calls for deeper partnership on defense, security with Japan | Philstar.com
Binay welcomes DepEd’s supervision of schools affected in Makati-Taguig dispute | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Abby Binay sees the Department of Education’s (DepEd) decision to assume the supervision of 14 public schools affected by the Makati and Taguig dispute as a “step forward uninterrupted and quality education.”
Makati City Mayor Binay, in a statement on Thursday, said this will specifically ease the growing worries of students and educators alike.
“We welcome the decision of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to take over the management and supervision of the 14 schools. This decision is a step forward in ensuring the uninterrupted and quality education students deserve. [It] will greatly ease the worries and concerns of our students, parents, and teachers,” said Binay.
DepEd, on Wednesday, issued DepEd Order No. 023, series 2023, creating a transition committee composed of representatives from the Deped and the cities of Taguig and Makati overseeing a transition plan.
Full story at: Binay welcomes DepEd’s supervision of schools affected in Makati-Taguig dispute | Inquirer News
Teves: Suspect, ‘terrorist,’ now expelled lawmaker | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — With 265 members in favor and three abstaining, the House of Representatives voted on Wednesday night to expel Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. on several grounds, including abandonment of public office and indecent behavior.
Except for the three-member Makabayan bloc who abstained, the lawmakers in attendance approved the 18-page report of the House committee of ethics and privileges recommending the removal of Teves, making him the first House member to be dropped from the roll without a prior court conviction for a criminal offense.
Full Story at: Teves: Suspect, ‘terrorist,’ now expelled lawmaker | Inquirer News
