News
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PCG: China should be held accountable for environmental damage in Pag-asa Island
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official said China should be held accountable for environmental damage in and near Pag-asa Island (Thitu), located 300 nautical miles from Palawan. “So, if there is one country that we need to [hold] accountable dito sa damage sa environment na ito, sa ating coral reef dito […]
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EXPLAINER: How Duterte-era deal ‘waived’ Philippines’ rights, claims in Panatag Shoal
SUMMARY There’s a new development in Beijing’s claims on issues concerning the West Philippine Sea. After insisting on a “gentleman’s agreement” and a “new mode” in Ayungin Shoal, Chinese officials are introducing a new term: a “temporary special arrangement” on Panatag or Scarborough Shoal. The revelation of another supposed agreement made under the previous Duterte […]
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Manalo: Philippine actions about national security, not US-China rivalry
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Amid an onslaught of revelations, claims, truths, and half-truths from Beijing on the West Philippine Sea, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo wants to make one thing clear: Philippine actions in security, diplomatic, or economic ties are “for our own national purposes or national security” and not to play into superpower competition. […]
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[Newspoint] Willful indifference
SUMMARY An unusual number of Chinese nationals have planted themselves in communities bordered by Philippine waters where China maintains a menacing military presence. They are estimated between 1,500 and 4,600, and many of them have been observed to be men in their prime and university enrollees. But officials of the host localities and schools, in […]
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PH, US, Japan, Australia object ‘dangerous use’ of Chinese militia in West Philippine Sea
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – In their second meeting as the defense ministers of their four nations, the Philippines, United States, Japan, and Australia raised concerns about China’s presence in the West Philippine Sea, strongly objecting to the “dangerous use” of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, a joint readout from the four countries said on […]
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Philippine ship damage, injury to crew ‘irresponsible behavior,’ says US defense secretary
SUMMARY HONOLULU, Hawaii, USA – Damage to Philippine vessels and injuries to their crew in the South China Sea is “irresponsible behavior” in disregard of international law, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday, May 2, weighing in on the latest flare-up involving China. Manila and Beijing have traded barbs almost daily since Tuesday’s […]
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Chinese embassy: Under Duterte, Philippines agreed to keep gov’t out of Panatag Shoal
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Under former president Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines had apparently agreed to stay away from Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, a feature in the West Philippine Sea that’s just over 120 nautical miles away from mainland Zambales. The details of the apparent “temporary” deal were made public by the Chinese Embassy statement late […]
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Philippines tells China: Leave Panatag Shoal now
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines on Thursday, May 2, demanded that Chinese ships leave Panatag Shoal and its vicinity “immediately,” two days after China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels used high-pressure water cannons against two Philippine government vessels. The Philippines made the demand when the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned Chinese embassy Deputy Chief […]
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FACT CHECK: 2024 Balikatan not aimed at expelling Chinese ships from South China Sea
SUMMARY Claim: The 2024 Balikatan exercises aim to expel Chinese vessels from the South China Sea. Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video bearing the claim was posted on April 17 by a channel with 252,000 subscribers. As of writing, it has gained 53,193 views, 337 comments, and 1,500 likes. The video’s title claims that […]
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FACT CHECK: 2024 Balikatan not aimed at expelling Chinese ships from South China Sea
SUMMARY Claim: The 2024 Balikatan exercises aim to expel Chinese vessels from the South China Sea. Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video bearing the claim was posted on April 17 by a channel with 252,000 subscribers. As of writing, it has gained 53,193 views, 337 comments, and 1,500 likes. The video’s title claims that […]
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PH says China ‘elevated’ tension in West Philippine Sea with Panatag Shoal harassment
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea said Wednesday, May 1, that the China Coast Guard’s use of “jet stream pressure” in their water cannons elevated tensions in the West Philippine Sea. Three China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels pointed their water cannons against two Philippine vessels en route […]
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IN PHOTOS: After China’s water cannons, BFAR brings supplies to fisherfolk in Bajo de Masinloc
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – In the pitch-black darkness of the West Philippine Sea, personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) brought supplies to Filipino fisherfolk in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc late Tuesday, April 30. Resupply and assistance activities went on until evening on Tuesday and will resume on Wednesday, May […]