IMOA
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FACT CHECK: No NATO pledge to defend PH in South China Sea
SUMMARY Claim: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will defend the Philippines against China amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video containing the claim has 202,80 views, 2,400 likes, and 466 comments as of writing. The title of the video says, “NATO will defend the Philippines and enter into the South China…
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In Manila, German foreign minister warns of ‘rough winds blowing’ in South China Sea
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday, January 11, warned of “rough winds blowing across the South China Sea,” following a bilateral meeting with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo in Manila. Baerbock, fresh off a visit to the Middle East, including Israel, expressed concern over tensions in the vital waterway, a major global trade route. The…
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FACT CHECK: No firm plans yet for multi-nation patrol in West PH Sea
SUMMARY Claim: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is readying multinational patrols in the West Philippine Sea to counter continued Chinese aggression. Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook reel was posted on January 3 by a page with 4,100 followers and has 1,500 likes and 1,600 shares as of writing. The narrator said: “China, kabahan ka na. Multi-nation patrols…
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Indonesia, Philippines discuss South China Sea developments – Marcos
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The leaders of the Philippines and Indonesia met on Wednesday, January 10, to discuss a range of regional issues including developments in the South China Sea and closer cooperation among member states of the Southeast Asian bloc. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hosted his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo for talks in Manila. “President Widodo and I had a…
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[EDITORIAL] Manigong Bagong Taon? Puwede na ang ‘masayang’ bagong taon
SUMMARY Tila mahirap alalahanin ang mga “good news” nitong 2023 sa harap ng nakalululang “bad news” ng nakaraang taon: headlining 2023 ay ang mga giyera sa Ukraine at Gaza. Ngayon, ang usapin ay nakatutok na sa pagpigil sa pagkalat ng giyera sa Middle East, habang ang mga taga-Ukraine ay naghihinagpis na nawala na sa kanila ang atensiyon ng mundo. Maraming…
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Philippines remains open to diplomacy with China – national security adviser
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines remains open to diplomatic discussions with China and believes the two nations can achieve a resolution to disputes over the South China Sea through peaceful dialogue, its national security adviser said in a statement on Friday, January 5. Eduardo Año’s remarks came after a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday called recent joint patrols…
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2 Chinese vessels shadowed PH, US ships – Philippine military
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Two Chinese navy vessels shadowed Philippine and US ships conducting joint patrols in the South China Sea, the Philippine military said on Thursday, January 4 as tensions flare in the region over disputed territorial claims. “We confirm the presence of two PLA-N (People’s Liberation Army Navy) vessels from a distance shadowing the participants of the Maritime…
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Philippines, US hold 2nd joint maritime patrol in West Philippine Sea
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and United States have commenced the second iteration of a joint maritime cooperative activity in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on Wednesday, January 3. From January 3 to 4, the AFP and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) will conduct passing exercises, communication checks, cross-deck exercises, joint…
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FACT CHECK: PH, US navy did not ‘destroy’ 350 illegal Chinese vessels
SUMMARY Claim: A video claims that joint maritime military forces from the United States and the Philippines destroyed 350 illegal Chinese vessels attempting a voyage to Scarborough Shoal. Why we fact-checked this: This claim was made in a Youtube video posted on December 19 with the title, “Brutal attack! 350 illegal China vessels destroy by US-Philippines navy near Scarborough shoal.”…
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ASEAN foreign ministers express concern over South China Sea tensions
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Foreign ministers of Southeast Asia’s regional bloc Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Saturday, December 30, expressed their concern over growing tensions in the South China Sea which they said could threaten regional peace and urged for peaceful dialogue among parties. “We closely follow with concern the recent developments in the South China Sea that may undermine peace,…