News
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Parliament of the seas
The best general, to paraphrase Sun Tzu anachronistically, is the one who wins without having to fire a shot. In 1995-1996, what is now called the Third Taiwan Straits Crisis took place, which was a turning point in Chinese and American defense strategies. As I wrote elsewhere some years back, for China, what it did […]
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Group says pursuing blue economy may address West Philippine Sea issues
SUBIC BAY, Zambales — Pursuing a “blue economy,” or one that is focused on the conservation and inclusive use of marine resources for economic growth, could address the issues hounding the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a group said on Friday. In a statement, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) also said that the concept of […]
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Carpio: Education can help Philippines win fight for West Philippine Sea
MANILA, Philippines — Educating Filipinos about the history of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) could help the Philippines win the fight against China’s claims on the entire South China Sea, according to retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio. In a lecture hosted by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the National Library of […]
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Another time’s the charm? Manila, Beijing OK presidential hotline on West Philippine Sea
SUMMARY The Philippines and China have expanded a previous maritime communication mechanism covering the West Philippine Sea, as tensions rise in waters that are within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) but that Beijing claims at its own. In a Wednesday, July 17 statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the two countries signed an […]
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First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos dons 3 stars as newest Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary officer
SUMMARY Liza Araneta-Marcos, lawyer and wife to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., just got a new title: Vice Admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA), or the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s volunteer force. The First Lady officially joined the PCGA’s Executive Squadron in a ceremony aboard the BRP Gabriela Silang on Tuesday, July 16, according […]
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WATCH: A Catholic archbishop sails West Philippine Sea to pray for China
MANILA, Philippines – Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas led a fluvial procession on Tuesday morning, July 16, to pray for peace in the face of China’s aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea. The Marian prayer voyage was held off the coast of Barangay Cato in Infanta, Pangasinan, after a 6 am Mass led by Villegas […]
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Turning point: Aftermath of failed resupply mission to Ayungin
SUMMARY In the coastal town of Rizal in Palawan, under the cover of darkness, four Navy boats prepared to sail. It was June 17, probably past midnight, and they were going on a mission to replace the personnel on board the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal as well as replenish supplies. Jeffrey Facundo, underwater operator of the elite […]
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[Rappler’s Best] America
SUMMARY Just when we thought the US presidential campaign had turned to its most bizarre path, with reelectionist President Joe Biden mumbling and fumbling and causing nightmares among Democrats, a 20-year-old American was shot dead after shooting former president Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, July 13 (US time). Trump […]
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View from Manila: 8 years after Arbitral Award, enforcing it still a pipe dream
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Like clockwork, ministries and their embassies issue statements when July 12, the anniversary of the landmark landmark 2016 Arbitral Ruling, rolls in. Philippine agencies do the same. Every year, too, the Philippines’ allies and friends – “like-minded” countries that are active and outspoken in supporting the ruling and the Philippines’ efforts […]
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WATCH: What the 2016 arbitral ruling says and doesn’t say about the West Philippine Sea
MANILA, Philippines – Every 12th of July, the Philippines – and its allies and friends – commemorate the 2016 arbitral award, a landmark ruling that said China’s sweeping 9-dash-line claim had no basis in international law. The ruling is part of the foundation the Philippines stands on in asserting its sovereign rights and sovereignty claims […]
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[OPINION] Legal approaches in countering Chinese aggression
SUMMARY Former Supreme Court Justice Antonio T. Carpior delivered these remarks at ADR Stratbase Institute’s forum marking the 8th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 arbitral award. The legal approaches in countering Chinese aggression are the countermeasures most dreaded by China. Why? Because China simply has no defense against these legal approaches. This was admitted […]
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Most Filipinos think joint patrols, exercises way to strengthen PH external defense – survey
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Most Filipinos – up to 51% – believe that the Philippines should strengthen existing alliances and “elevate partnerships” by holding joint patrols and military exercises with its allies and partners, according to a late-June 2024 survey. The Pulse Asia Research Incorporated survey, held in time for the 8th anniversary of the […]