News
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European nations ‘determined to stay relevant’ in Asia-Pacific, South China Sea
Major European nations are seeking to raise their profile in the Asia-Pacific, with freedom of navigation operations and concern about rising tensions in the South China Sea signalling their desire to remain relevant in the region, analysts say. “Until a few years ago, European countries preferred to keep a low profile on regional security […]
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Congressmen file bill establishing PH archipelagic sea lanes
Administration and opposition congressmen have filed a bill proposing to establish the archipelagic sea lanes of the country in a bid to prevent a repeat of the controversy brought about by the passage of Chinese warships in Philippine waters without prior clearance from Manila. Three bills on the archipelagic sea lanes were filed separately by […]
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Upping the ante in the Yen analogy
Time and space precluded a somewhat exhaustive discussion of the topic tackled in this column last time out: Analogy discloses US evil hand. And although a reader lauded the article as “quite an enlightening piece,” saying “America can never be trusted,” I nonetheless feel obliged to elaborate further on matters either completely left unsaid […]
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PH to continue enforcing rights in South China Sea – DND
The Department of National Defense (DND) will continue enforcing the rights of the Philippines in the disputed waters in the South China Sea (SCS) even if President Duterte decides to “set aside” the 2016 arbitral ruling in favor of a joint exploration activity with China. “The Philippines is a rules-based state and a party […]
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Palace assures Carpio: Duterte will never abandon PH arbitral win vs China
MANILA – Malacañang assured Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio Friday that President Rodrigo Duterte would never abandon the Philippines’ legal victory in the South China Sea after the magistrate said the chief executive has “no authority” to set it aside. Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo twitted Carpio, saying the justice “appears to relish in finding […]
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Duterte has no authority to ‘set aside’ PH arbitral win – Carpio
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has no authority to “set aside” Manila’s legal victory in the South China Sea to push through with a joint oil and gas exploration deal in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Friday. Carpio, one of the country’s staunchest advocates of Philippine ownership of disputed […]
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U.S., Philippines Boost Military Pact With More Drills Planned
The U.S. and the Philippines have agreed to enhance defense cooperation, increasing joint security activities next year amid tension in the South China Sea. “Today, we addressed regional security challenges together as friends, allies, and partners,” Admiral Philip Davidson, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said after their mutual defense board meeting in Manila. […]
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Vietnam digs in on South China Sea oil and gas projects amid Chinese pressure
A photo taken on April 29 shows a Rosneft Vietnam employee at the Lan Tay gas platform in the South China Sea off the coast of Vung Tau, Vietnam. BANGKOK – Vietnam, locked in one of its most protracted test of wills with China of late, is trying to allay fears that yet another […]
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DND: China endangers navigation in SChina Sea
The Department of National Defense (DND) warned on Friday that freedom of navigation operations (Fonops) at the West Philippine Sea (WPS or South China Sea) may be at risk should Beijing continue its militarization activities. Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna said China’s militarization activities over its reclaimed areas would also make it capable of deterring […]
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Lorenzana: South China Sea dispute needs 2-pronged approach
MANILA—The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday laid out plans to solve the territorial dispute in the South China Sea, saying it is the source of instability and tension in the region. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they are pursuing a 2-pronged approach to assert the Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea, the […]
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South China Sea revelation: How Beijing is ‘bribing neighbours for control
CHINA is reportedly trying to assert its control over the South China Sea by offering oil deals in exchange for disregard for international law. This was revealed after Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said he has been offered a controlling stake in a joint energy deal by Chinese President Xi Jinping in exchange for ignoring […]
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US Navy warship challenges Chinese claims in the South China Sea
(CNN)The US Navy sailed a warship near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea Friday as part of an operation aimed at challenging Chinese claims to the area, a move that drew an immediate protest from Beijing which accused the US of practicing “navigational hegemony.” The guided-missile destroyer “USS Wayne E. Meyer challenged […]