News
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Talks to endanger China claims – study
By Jose Katigbak, STAR Washington Bureau @ http://www.philstar.com/headlines/803844/talks-endanger-china-claims-study WASHINGTON – Multilateral negotiations over disputed islands, rocks and reefs in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) will most likely result in China losing part of its claimed territory and maritime rights, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) said. Also, China’s full acceptance of the United Nations Convention on…
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Phl needs 48 fighter jets, 6 mini submarines – report
By Jose Katigbak, STAR Washington Bureau @ http://www.philstar.com/headlines/803405/phl-needs-48-fighter-jets-6-mini-submarines-report WASHINGTON – The Philippines needs up to four squadrons (48) of upgraded Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets, more well-armed frigates and corvette-size, fast to surface combatant vessels and minesweepers and four to six mini submarines, possibly obtained from Russia, to build a credible defense force in the face of China’s increasing belligerence…
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Political Tension in the South China Sea
BY KEVIN DONNELLAN A small group of uninhabited islands off the Northwestern Philippines is the site of a tense standoff between China and the Philippines over territorial claims. Fox News reports. “The Chinese ships ordered the Philippine warship to leave Scarborough, claiming Chinese sovereignty over the rich fishing ground. But the warship has stayed put, arguing it is Philippine territory.”…
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Chinese surveillance ships, choppers patrol West PHL Sea
A marine surveillance fleet that included three surveillance ships and a helicopter left Hainan province in China Friday afternoon to conduct regular patrols in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). China’s Xinhua news agency reported the marine surveillance fleet departed from Sanya in South China for the “regular patrols.” The report posted on China’s government portal quoted Chen Huaibei,…
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Palace: PHL may talk to other claimants on Taiwan’s military drill plans in Spratlys
The Philippines may talk to other claimants of the Spratly Islands over Taiwan’s reported plans to stage live-fire drills there, Malacañang said Saturday. Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office head Ramon Carandang also said they may “deal with that when it happens.” “Meron tayong diplomatic channels para makipag-usap sa ibaang bansa tungkol sa issue na yan,” he said on…
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US government to hand over second ship to Philippines
By Jose Katigbak, STAR Washington Bureau @ http://www.philstar.com/headlines/775425/us-government-hand-over-second-ship-philippines WASHINGTON – The US government will hand over a second Coast Guard cutter to the Philippines with the aim of improving the country’s maritime security in light of heightened tension in the South China Sea, a congressional hearing was told. Republican Rep. Ed Royce told a House of Representatives Foreign Affairs hearing…
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‘Spratlys conflict to make Aquino’s China visit tense’
By Jose Katigbak, Star Washington Bureau @ http://www.philstar.com/headlines/722244/spratlys-conflict-make-aquinos-china-visit-tense MANILA, Philippines – The Heritage Foundation in Washington said the elephant in the room in talks in Beijing between visiting President Aquino and Chinese leaders will be the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. In the past year, China has stiffened its resolve regarding its sovereignty over its “blue soil” and,…
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US backs Phl defense
By Jose Katigbak, STAR Washington Bureau @ http://www.philstar.com/headlines/699277/us-backs-phl-defense WASHINGTON – The United States said on Thursday it would provide the Philippines with military assets it needs to defend itself.“We are determined and committed to supporting the defense of the Philippines, and that means trying to find ways of providing affordable material and equipment that will assist the Philippine military to…