News Roundup 29 May 2024
May 29, 2024 • 5 min Read
BFAR won’t recognize China’s ‘trespassers’ policy in West Philippine Sea | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Wednesday said it does not recognize China’s declaration to detain foreign trespassers in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), stating that it will continue its activities along the area.
BFAR spokesperson Nizario Briguera made the pronouncement after China declared a new policy starting June 15, where it would start detaining for 60 days without trial foreigners who trespass into areas in the waterway supposedly under its jurisdiction.
“Hindi natin kinikilala itong unilateral declaration ng China diyan sa WPS na sinasabing fishing ban, so sa ngayon walang pwedeng pumigil sa activities natin sa mga mangingisda at ‘yung mga lehitimong gagawing misyon ng BFAR,” Briguera said in an interview over Radyo 630 when asked about China’s new policy.
(We do not recognize this unilateral declaration by China in the WPS that is said to be a fishing ban, so for now no one can stop our activities, including fishers and legitimate missions of BFAR.)
According to Briguera, China’s declaration has no legal basis, echoing the position of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Furthermore, Briguela also said China cannot impose a fishing ban in the area without a scientific basis.
Full Story at: BFAR won’t recognize China’s trespassers policy in West Philippine Sea (inquirer.net)
Suspect in fatal road rage incident in Edsa-Ayala tunnel arrested | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines (Updated) — The suspect behind the death of the stay-in driver in a shooting incident in Makati has been arrested, according to Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
Abalos did not provide further details and only said “yes” when asked about the suspect’s arrest.
“Yes, there will be a press conference in [Camp] Crame,” he told reporters in a message.
Based on police reports, 65-year-old driver Aniceto Mateo was shot to death along the southbound lane of the Edsa Ayala tunnel at around 2:30 p.m. by the suspect who was aboard a black Mercedes Benz with a plate number BCS77.
During a later briefing, Abalos revealed that the black Mercedes Benz was registered to a certain individual living in Las Piñas who could no longer be found in the area. A follow-up operation eventually led to the identification and location of the suspect along Riverside Village, Pasig City.
Full Story at: Suspect in fatal road rage incident in Edsa-Ayala tunnel arrested (inquirer.net)
Zambales fishers need larger boats, modern equipment for WPS | PHILSTAR.COM – MASINLOC, Zambales — On top of safe access to Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, Zambales fishermen would need larger boats and updated fishing equipment so that they can gain comparative advantage and sustain their livelihood from the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This was emphasized by Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. when the House of Representatives’ Committee on National Defense and Security and the Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea jointly conducted a public hearing here to determine the impact of Chinese incursion into the Scarborough Shoal.
Ebdane, a former secretary of defense, noted that while the tension at WPS has socio-economic, political and security implications, the welfare of local fishermen is of utmost concern.
He pointed out that while the Philippines claimed victory in the arbitration case over the Scarborough, China has not acknowledged the ruling, thus rendering it unenforceable.
“So, there has to be an alternative to this problem in Bajo de Masinloc,” Ebdane said.
According to local fishermen, bullying by Chinese militia boats at the shoal has resulted to scant harvest. Add to this problem the stiff competition from legitimate fishermen from Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia, they added.
Despite this, they said they have yet to receive any help from the national government to ease the problem.
Ebdane, however, said that short- and long-term programs are already in place to address the fishermen’s needs, including standby funds for fisherfolk groups that would venture into payao fishing, a system that uses fish aggregating devices in open sea.
Full Story at: Zambales fishers need larger boats, modern equipment for WPS | Philstar.com
Marcos denies ordering Zubiri’s ouster | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday distanced himself from the ouster of former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, saying he was only aware of plans to remove him after being approached by Senate President Chiz Escudero.
Escudero informed Marcos “the minute he started thinking about” taking over the Senate’s top post, the president said during a media interview in Brunei.
But the plan to oust Zubiri — who said during his resignation speech that his failure to follow instructions from “the powers that be” cost him the position — was made by the senators themselves, Marcos said.
“So, that does not reflect on my view on Senator Migz and the trust and confidence that I have in him,” the president said in a news release by the Presidential Communications Office.
Marcos also said that he was “not sure” what Zubiri was referring to in his speech and has not spoken to him about it.
The president added that was “basically informed at every step of the way but it moves so quickly as well.”
“But of course, we knew the state of the voting. When that was still being collected, the votes were still being collected by Senator Chiz,” Marcos said.
Full Story at: Marcos denies ordering Zubiri’s ouster | Philstar.com
