IMOA
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South China Sea: UK could send aircraft carrier to back Australian vessels
The 65,000-tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest warship to be built in Britain. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Australia and the UK are discussing plans for the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to be sent to the Pacific amid tensions over China’s militarisation in the South China Sea. The Australian defence minister, Marise Payne, and the foreign minister,…
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Ex-solgen Hilbay says federal charter allows joint dev’t with China
MANILA, Philippines — The proposed charter of President Duterte’s consultative committee (Concom) allows China to undertake joint development with the Philippines in disputed areas of the South China Sea, former solicitor general Florin Hilbay said yesterday. In an interview the other day with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News channel, Hilbay pointed out that the “softer” language on the…
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Palace downplays US sanction vs PH regarding Russia arms deal
The Philippines is not bound by United States laws, Malacañang said on Thursday, as it dismissed possible sanctions from Washington if Manila pushes through with its purchase of grenade launchers from a blacklisted Russian firm. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, a former international law professor, said Washington could not enforce US laws to the Philippines. “As a professor of international law…
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Up close with the man tasked to implement US’ military policy in South China Sea
Editor’s Note: Admiral Philip Davidson faced the media for the first time recently on his 7th week as the new commander of the Indo Pacific Command. GMA News’ Chino Gaston was there. When journalists covering the 2018 Rim of the Pacific Exercises were told we were meeting with the US Indo-Pacific Command commander Admiral Philip Davidson, I considered it a…
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Rappler editor to launch landmark book on Philippines-China case
(UPDATED) Rappler editor-at-large Marites Dañguilan Vitug is set to unveil the book ‘Rock Solid,’ the first of its kind about the Philippines’ victory over the South China Sea, at the Ateneo de Manila University on July 24 LANDMARK BOOK. ‘Rock Solid,’ authored by award-winning journalist Marites Dañguilan Vitug, is the first of its kind on the Philippines’ case against China…
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PRRD Year 2: Gov’t dedicated to protecting PH territory, sovereignty
MANILA — The Duterte administration remains focused on protecting the country’s national territory and sovereignty. This was emphasized by National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon during the “Tatak ng Pagbabago” Pre-SONA Forum held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City Wednesday. Esperon said this is demonstrated by the continuous maritime and air patrols conducted by the military in…
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Pacific Rim countries join forces as tensions rise
Kiwis participate in RIMPAC, Rim of the Pacific, the world’s largest international maritime training exercise. As security tensions rise in the Asia-Pacific region, and New Zealand reaffirms its commitment to old friends and allies, more than 300 of the country’s defence personnel, along with a warship and three planes descend on Hawaii. Biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is the…
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Esperon: PHL needs to be ‘strong internally’ in maritime dispute with China
THE Philippines should first become “strong internally” in its maritime dispute in the South China Sea, National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr. said in an interview at the sidelines of the last pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) forum on Wednesday, July 18. “Magpalakas ka muna (get stronger first). I think (President Rodrigo R. Duterte)] is going through the…
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Duterte ‘Silent’ on China’s Sea Expansion, Calling Beijing as ‘Good Neighbor’
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is avoiding criticism over Chinese expansion in the South China Sea, and has instead described Beijing as a good neighbor. Duterte made the remarks Tuesday at a groundbreaking ceremony for a Chinese-funded bridge. “I’m sure that in the end, China will be fair and the equity will be distributed,” he said, according to the Philippine…
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Nene Pimentel: PH should turn to ASEAN, UN on South China Sea
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 18) — A former Senate President and ally of President Rodrigo Duterte wants a stronger national stance against China, which has ignored an international tribunal ruling that largely favored the Philippines in disputes in the South China Sea. In an interview with CNN Philippines, Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel advised the government to turn to the Association…