IMOA
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[Hindi Ito Marites] Is the West Philippine Sea issue really a contest between the US and China?
Every time the Philippines enters into security agreements or holds military exercises with its allies, you can count on China to come out with a strongly-worded statement expressing its displeasure. But nothing displeases the former empire more than engagements between the Philippines and the United States. So, in hopes of discouraging Filipinos from pursuing security ties with the Americans, China…
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Vietnam, Philippines seal deals on South China Sea security
SUMMARY HANOI, Vietnam – Vietnam and the Philippines agreed on Tuesday, January 30, to boost cooperation among their coastguards and to prevent untoward incidents in the South China Sea, in an announcement during a state visit to Hanoi by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The two Southeast Asian countries have competing claims over some parts of the South China Sea, a conduit…
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Philippines says China ‘imagining’ special arrangement in Ayungin
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya on Monday, January 29, denied China’s belated claim that it made a “temporary special arrangement” to allow the delivery of supplies for troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea. Malaya, speaking on state-run PTV4’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, said he was “surprised” by the China Coast…
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Philippines, Vietnam eye ‘strategic partnership’ agreement between coast guards
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s expected visit to Vietnam in late January, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday, January 23, met with and briefed Vietnamese officials on “its current engagement and maritime security operations in the West Philippine Sea.” In a release, the PCG said Vietnam’s Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu visited…
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PH’s first 2024 resupply mission to Ayungin thwarted… by boat repairs
SUMMARY The humble Unaizah May 1 has been through the wringer, especially in 2023. The Unaizah May 1 or UM1 is one of two boats the Philippine Navy uses in its regular rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, where the rusty BRP Sierra Madre serves as a military outpost. But what would have…
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WATCH: Chinese Coast Guard forces Filipino fishermen to return shells, drives them away – PCG
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino fishermen collecting sea shells near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea were reportedly harassed and driven away by Chinese Coast Guard, according to videos posted on Facebook. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela on Sunday, January 21 said that they are able to identify the origin of the videos posted on January 19,…
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‘Moderate expectations’ for PCG after PH, China agree to improve communications
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on the West Philippine Sea, said on Friday, January 19, that he had “high hopes with moderate expectations,” after the Philippines and China promised to improve its “maritime communication mechanism” not just between diplomats but between its respective coast guards. Tarriela was responding to Rappler’s request…
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Philippines-China agreement to improve maritime communication explained
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and China, in a bilateral meeting on Wednesday, January 17, agreed to “improve [a] maritime communication mechanism in the South China Sea,” starting 2024. “This includes communications between foreign ministries and coast guards of the two countries,” added the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in a statement released Thursday, January 18. China’s Ministry…
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China, Philippines seek better communication, management of conflicts in South China Sea
SUMMARY China and the Philippines agreed to improve maritime communication and to properly manage conflicts and differences through friendly talks in regards to issues around the South China Sea, their foreign ministries said in a statement. China Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong and Philippines Foreign Ministry undersecretary Theresa Lazaro held a frank and in-depth exchange of views on the situation…
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Philippines to develop islands in South China Sea – Brawner
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will develop islands in the South China Sea that it considers part of its territory to make them more habitable for troops, Manila’s military chief Romeo Brawner told reporters on Monday, January 15. The plans come amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China, both of whom claim territory in the South China Sea…