News
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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, […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]