News Roundup 22 October 2023
Oct 22, 2023 • 6 min Read
Chinese vessels collide with Philippine boats on resupply mission | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines (Update 1: 5:37 p.m.) — Chinese vessels blocked and collided with Philippine boats sending supply to troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea, authorities said Sunday.
In a statement, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said that the “dangerous blocking maneuvers” of the China Coast Guard vessel 5203 caused it to collide with Unaiza May 2, an Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted indigenous resupply boat, 13.5 nautical miles east northeast of the grounded warship at Ayungin Shoal this morning.
“The provocative, irresponsible, and illegal action of CCGV 5203 imperiled the safety of the crew of Unaiza 2,” the task force said.
The NTF-WPS also said that a Chinese maritime militia vessel “bumped” a patrol vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard approximately 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal during the same resupply mission.
According to authorities, the mission is still ongoing, with the supply boat Unaiza May 1 reaching BRP Sierra Madre.
The task force said the actions of the CCG and the Chinese maritime militia violate the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines, and disregard international maritime conventions and the 2016 arbitral award that Beijing does not recognize.
Full Story at: Chinese vessels collide with Philippine boats on resupply mission | Philstar.com
Philippine allies condemn China’s ‘dangerous, disturbing’ maneuvers in WPS | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Allies of the Philippines condemned Sunday the moves of Chinese vessels to block boats on a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, resulting in collisions in the West Philippine Sea.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported that the blocking maneuvers of a China Coast Guard vessel caused it to collide with a boat contracted by the military for the resupply mission to Filipino troops at Ayungin Shoal.
It also said that a Chinese maritime militia vessel “bumped” a Philippine Coast Guard vessel escorting the routine resupply mission.
“The United States condemned the People’s Republic of China’s latest disruption of a legal Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, putting the lives of Filipino service members at risk,” US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said on X.
European Union Ambassador Luc Veron also expressed concern, saying that “these incidents, their repetition and intensification are dangerous and very disturbing.”
The Canadian Embassy, for its part, called Beijing’s actions “unjustified.”
“China has no lawful claim to the West Philippine Sea. Its actions are incompatible with the obligations of a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the embassy said.
It added that continuing acts of intimidation and coercion undermine safety, stability, and security across the region, and increase the risk of miscalculation.
According to the NTF-WPS, a second resupply boat successfully reached the grounded BRP Sierra Madre and unloaded supplies for the troops stationed there.
Full Story at: Philippine allies condemn China’s ‘dangerous, disturbing’ maneuvers in WPS | Philstar.com
Senators, envoys deplore latest China aggression in WPS | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Several senators and ambassadors expressed concern and denounced the collision of an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-contracted resupply boat and a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Sunday.
The incident happened during a regular and routine Rotation and Resupply (RORE) mission to BRP Sierra Madre at around 6:04 a.m. when a CCG ship made “dangerous blocking maneuvers,” causing it to collide with the AFP vessel, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said.
During the same RORE mission, NTF-WPS added that the port side of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s MRRV 4409 ship was bumped by a Chinese maritime militia vessel at approximately 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal).
In a statement, Senator Francis Tolentino said that the incidents showed China’s continued disregard of the rules of international law and basic maritime safety.
“Ang naturang insidente ay dapat mapasailalim sa isang masusing imbestigasyon sa ilalim ng International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) at ang Code for Investigation of Marine Casualties and Incidents ng International Maritime Organization,” he said.
(Such an incident should be dealt with in a thorough investigation under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the Code for Investigation of Marine Casualties and Incidents of the International Maritime Organization.)
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada called the incidents “reckless and hostile behavior” of the CCG toward the AFP resupply boat.
“Makailang beses nang ginagawa ang panghaharang sa ating mga sasakyang pandagat at nangyari na ang pinangangambahan natin na insidente. Hindi na katanggap-tanggap ang pangyayaring ito. Aksidente man o hindi, patunay ito ng kawalan ng respeto sa atin at sa buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
(Our vessels have been intercepted several times, and the incident we feared has happened. This incident is no longer acceptable. Whether or not it was an accident, it shows the lack of respect for us and the lives of our fellow citizens.)
“This is a violation of our sovereign rights and an assault on our maritime personnel; it is completely unacceptable. Will a mere diplomatic protest still suffice,” he furthered.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, on the other hand, stressed that the PCG “has every right” to the WPS.
“Walang karapatan ang Tsina na itaboy ang ating mga tropa sa ating karagatan. At mas lalong wala silang karapatan na saktan at banggain ang Pilipinong barkong tanging gumagawa lang ng kanyang trabaho sa sarili nating teritoryo,” she said.
Hontiveros added that CCG vessels have “chased, blocked, and harassed our Philippine Coast Guard daily, 24/7” every time they conduct resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre.
“I call on the international community to join the Philippines’ condemnation of China’s most recent violence against the Filipino people. Our nations should not stop fighting for the rule of law. It is the only way to have a chance at true peace and stability across the region and the world,” she added.
Full Story at: Senators, envoys deplore latest China aggression in WPS | Inquirer News
PNP- ACG to probe vlogger over privacy breach | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP – ACG) on Sunday said that it investigate and determine whether or not vlogger Rendon Labador violated privacy laws when during a police operation against an online lending company in Makati City.
The operation against the lending company, which allegedly harasses clients, was conducted on October 20.
The vlogger’s Facebook Live coverage after the operation drew the ire from the relatives of the company employees when their faces were shows in the video.
“Addressing concerns about the potential violation of privacy committed by Rendon, we will thoroughly investigate this matter. If any violation is confirmed, we will take appropriate and corrective action,” PNP-ACG said.
Full Story at: PNP- ACG to probe vlogger over privacy breach | Inquirer News
