News
-
[EDITORIAL] Ang ‘enemy from within’ sa West Philippine Sea
SUMMARY Nitong Mayo 10, inudyukan ni National Security Adviser Eduardo Año ang Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) na patalsikin sa Maynila ang Chinese embassy diplomats na naglabas sa media ng isa umanong recording. Sabi naman ni Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro, dapat daw imbesitagahan ng DFA kung nilabag ng embassy officials ng Tsina ang Anti-Wiretapping Act […]
-
Philippines sends ships to disputed atoll where China building ‘artificial island’
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines said on Saturday, May 11, it has deployed ships to a disputed area in the South China Sea, where it accused China of building “an artificial island” in an escalating maritime row. The coast guard sent a ship “to monitor the supposed illegal activities of China, creating ‘an artificial […]
-
Coral reefs in Pag-asa Island cays likely damaged for ‘several years already’ – scientist
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – A marine biologist who led the recent marine scientific research (MSR) in Pag-asa (Thitu) Island estimated that the damage on coral reefs in the isolated cays may have been going on for ““several years already.” “The ones that are underwater, from, let’s say, 7 meters deep to around 20 meters deep […]
-
China military says it ‘drove away’ US destroyer in South China Sea
SUMMARY BEIJING, China – China’s military closely monitored and “drove away” USS Halsey that entered the territorial waters of Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on May 10, Friday, the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army said in a statement on Friday. The US move “seriously infringed on China’s sovereignty and security,” […]
-
Rappler Talk: A deep dive into the environmental damage in Pag-asa Island
MANILA, Philippines – While tensions escalate in the West Philippine Sea between Philippines and China, Filipino scientists continue to study the environment and biodiversity in the area. Jonathan Anticamara of the University of the Philippines Institute of Biology led the latest marine scientific research, which found coral reefs in Sandy Cay in a degraded state. […]
-
Año wants expulsion of Chinese diplomats over ‘malign influence and interference operations’
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ National Security Adviser on Friday, May 10, called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to “take appropriate actions against individuals in the Chinese Embassy” who have claimed to possess an audio recording of an alleged phone call with a Philippine military general. “Those individuals in the Chinese Embassy […]
-
Amid China’s audio recording claim, DFA says: Diplomats must follow PH laws
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Follow our laws. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reminded diplomats on Thursday, May 9, that they should “strictly adhere” to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, particularly on respecting the laws of their host governments. The DFA issued the reminder days after China threatened to release a purported recording […]
-
After China’s claims of a recorded call, Teodoro asks: Did its embassy violate PH law?
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., on Wednesday, May 9, said he doubted the authenticity of a supposed audio recording that Chinese officials claim “proves” a supposed agreement to manage tensions in the South China Sea. “Diumano, may pahayag ang Chinese embassy sa Pilipinas na mayroon kunong alleged recording sa […]
-
‘Active citizenship’: Civilian group to hold Panatag Shoal mission
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Civic society groups under Atin Ito will push through with a civilian-led mission to Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, two weeks after China’s water cannons damaged government ships during a mission to the same area. Atin Ito, a coalition that counts fisher and farmer groups, civic organizations, fisherfolk, and […]
-
China ups ante, says it has audio recording of ‘new deal’ arrangement with PH Wescom chief
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The word war between the Philippines and China intensified on Tuesday, May 7, with Chinese officials telling Bloomberg News that it “may soon” release what it’s claiming to be a phone call with a Filipino general about a supposed agreement to ease tensions in Ayungin Shoal. Bloomberg, citing a Chinese official […]
-
Philippine naval commander goes on leave as Beijing insists on ‘new model’ deal with PH
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Days after China bared a supposed agreement with the Philippine military’s Western Command (Wescom) to manage tensions at the West Philippine Sea, its commander, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, went on leave. The military confirmed on Tuesday, May 7, that Carlos has gone on “personal leave.” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla however […]
-
Philippines: We’ve never agreed to China’s Ayungin proposals
SUMMARY LAOAG CITY, Philippines – The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday, May 7, that no Cabinet-level official in the Marcos administration has agreed to “any Chinese proposal pertaining to the Ayungin Shoal.” The statement comes a day after China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) repeated on Monday, May 6, a previous […]