News
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Why diplomatic protests matter in West PH Sea tensions
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – It’s a process that moves like clockwork. After another lopsided confrontation between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea comes statements – of condemnation against China, from the Philippines’ National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS); in support of Manila, from diplomats of nations who stand with the […]
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China ships linger in Ayungin after blasting water-cannons at PH resupply mission
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – At least nine Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships and one China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel remain inside and within the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, a feature some 105 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said Thursday, December 14. Of the nine CMM ships, […]
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China condemns Canada’s support for Philippines over South China Sea incidents
SUMMARY China condemned Canada’s support for the Philippines over what it said were violations of China’s sovereignty in the South China Sea, according to a statement by a Chinese embassy spokesperson in Canada. “The South China Sea is the common home of countries in the region and should not become a hunting ground for Canada, […]
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Hope rises despite aborted mission of civilian convoy through West PH Sea
SUMMARY PALAWAN, Philippines – As the sun was setting on the second Sunday of Advent, December 10, four Chinese vessels appeared one by one over the horizon while the first Christmas convoy was passing through the waters near Ayungin Shoal. Most civilian volunteers were on the main deck of the mission ship attending a Holy […]
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UK condemns China over incidents in the South China Sea against the Philippines
SUMMARY LONDON, United Kingdom – Britain on Monday, December 11, condemned what it called “unsafe and escalatory tactics deployed by Chinese vessels” against the Philippines over the weekend in the South China Sea. “The UK opposes any action which raises tensions, including harassment, unsafe conduct and intimidation tactics which increase the risk of miscalculation and […]
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EXPLAINER: Why China, the Philippines keep fighting over tiny shoal
SUMMARY The Philippines on Monday, December 11, described the actions of Chinese vessels against its boats carrying out South China Sea resupply missions over the weekend as a “serious escalation.” In the latest in a series of confrontations, Manila accused Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels of repeatedly firing water cannon at its resupply […]
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Manila summons Chinese ambassador after back-to-back water cannoning in West PH Sea
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian has been summoned yet again, following a weekend of “aggression and provocations” against Philippine vessels in different parts in the West Philippine Sea. On December 9 and December 10, Philippine vessels were subject to harassment by China Coast Guard ships as they embarked on missions to Bajo […]
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[EDITORIAL] Christmas convoy: successful test case of civilian vs military power
SUMMARY Tila naisahan ng mga Pinoy ang mga Tsino sa pakay nito na mag-deliver ng supplies sa mga tropa sa West Philippine Sea (WPS). Matapos mag-anunsiyo ng Christmas convoy ng civil society “Atin Ito” na babalik na lang sila ng Palawan, nagpaabot ng balita ang organizers na dumaong na ang convoy sa Lawak island! “Nakalusot!” […]
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IN PHOTOS: AFP chief Brawner visits the BRP Sierra Madre
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), witnessed firsthand harassment at the hands of Chinese maritime forces in the West Philippine Sea. Brawner was part of a military resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, over 100 nautical miles off […]
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WATCH: Philippines holds presser on ‘Chinese aggression, harassment’ in West Philippine Sea
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Monday, December 11, called for a press conference on “incidents of Chinese Aggression and Harassment” in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend. On December 9, and again on December 10, Chinese vessels harassed Philippine ships in Bajo de Masinloc, […]
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Philippines woos neighbors to craft code on South China Sea
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has approached neighbors such as Malaysia and Vietnam to discuss a separate code of conduct regarding the South China Sea, its president said on Monday, November 20, citing limited progress towards striking a broader regional pact with China. Relations between the two have grown more tense under President Ferdinand […]
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Philippines to China: Remove illegal structures, stop reclamation in South China Sea
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines on Thursday, November 16, called on China to remove all its “illegal structures” in the Spratlys, an archipelago of islands, cays, and reefs that’s rich in marine life and, possibly, oil and gas. “We call on China to remove all these illegal structures, cease reclamations in the South China […]