News
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Hagel Confirms US Support for Japan, Asian Allies
HONG KONG — The head of the U.S. Defense Department says Washington plans to send two more missile defense warships to Japan to counter the threat posed by North Korea’s actions. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told a news conference in Tokyo Sunday after meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, that two AEGIS […]
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Comments on the Philippine case before ITLOS and Arbitral Tribunal
MEDIA RELEASE By Prof. JOSE MARIA SISON NDFP Chief Political Consultant 04 April 2014 In a previous interview, I said that the strongest piece of international law in favor of the Philippines is the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), particularly with regard to the 200 mile exclusive economic zone. I even […]
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‘Phl chose right course in sea row’
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines chose the right course, an international think tank said of the country’s filing a case before an arbitral court on its overlapping claim with China in the Spratlys. The Philippines may face repercussions for bringing its territorial dispute with China before an international court but complacency may be costlier, US-based […]
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Mission possible to Ayungin Shoal: Get around China to revisit ‘LT 57’
HOORAY. Marine Sgt. Rey Sarmiento (R) and Pfc. Ryan Esteban react when the PH supply ship arrives March 29, alongside BRP Sierra Madre, their home for 138 days. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE AYUNGIN SHOAL, West Philippine Sea—Standing on the bridge of the AM700, our small resupply vessel, Navy Lt. (s.g.) Ferdinand Gato had his eyes on […]
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US strongly committed to protecting Japan
YOKOTA AIR FORCE BASE, Japan — Against the backdrop of Russia’s takeover of Ukraine’s Crimean region, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Saturday that a key message he will deliver to leaders in Tokyo this weekend is that the U.S. is strongly committed to protecting Japan’s security. Hagel said it is understandable for nations to be […]
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Courage and defiance: The Philippines act of standing up against China
I refer to the report of TJ Burgonio “Philippines defies China warning,” in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 29 with regard to the Philippines’ act of filing the pleading on the sea dispute. To quote from the said report: “Unfazed by threats of sanctions from China, the government yesterday said it was pursuing its case […]
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Why Joma Sison supports Philippines’ case vs China
Ayungin Shoal, BRP Sierra Madre, China, CPP NPA, itlos, Joma Sison, Memorial, Philippines, South China Sea Dispute, UNCLOSMANILA – Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison on Friday said the Philippine government is right in filing a case against China before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Sison, chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), said in a statement that […]
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US: We stand by our allies
Ayungin Shoal, BRP Sierra Madre, China, East China Sea Dispute, Memorial, Philippines, South China Sea Dispute, USAWASHINGTON—“There should be no doubt about resolve of the United States. We stand by our allies and we stand by our commitments,” Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, the top US diplomat for East Asia, told a Senate panel that oversees policy in the region. The United States on Thursday cautioned China that it will […]
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PH on China: Judge us by actions, not words
Ayungin Shoal, BRP Sierra Madre, China, ICJ, itlos, Memorial, Philippines, South China Sea Dispute, UNCLOSMANILA, Philippines – The Philippines rebuked China on Friday, April 4, for its aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) as it dismissed that country’s barrage of statements against the Philippines on a historic case. “Countries should be judged by their actions, not by their words,” Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario […]
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China, US, Japan React to Philippines’ UNCLOS Case
A few China links for the end of the week: The Permanent Court of Arbitration has established an official webpage for the case of “The Republic of the Philippines v. The People’s Republic of China”—the arbitration case the Philippines has brought to challenge China’s nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea. The page confirms […]
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US threatens China over territorial disputes, cites sanctions on Russia as example
The US gave a strong warning to China not to escalate territorial tensions in the Asia-Pacific region if it doesn’t want to face American retaliation. In his statement, a US official used sanctions on Russia over Crimea’s accession as an example. Although it’s difficult to gauge China’s response at this point, more pressure needs to […]
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China’s strategy vs PH: Trial by publicity
Arbitration, Ayungin Shoal, BRP Sierra Madre, China, ICJ, itlos, Memorial, Philippines, South China Sea Dispute, UNLOSMANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Even as it strongly criticized the Philippines for “hyping up” the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) issue, China’s recent statements against its challenger show that it has taken the same tack by subjecting the Philippines to trial by publicity. This legal but out-of-court battle against the Philippines becomes clearer days […]