The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has formally filed a diplomatic protest against China’s recent water cannoning of a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel at the Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc). This was confirmed by DFA spokesman Angelica Escalona on Thursday, Sept....
China’s declaration of a nature reserve in the South China Sea is the latest twist in its years-long push to establish control over the strategically important waters and sea lane. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration said last week that the reserve would protect the coral reef...
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) on Wednesday, Sept. 17, voiced concern over growing discussions on the formation of a security grouping in the Asia-Pacific region, possibly involving the Philippines and other “like-minded” nations, which is patterned after the North Atlantic Treaty...
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Wednesday, September 17 criticized anew the actions of the China Coast Guard against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) BRP Datu Gumbay Piang saying it is yet another blatant display of China’s disregard for international law and the...
A personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was injured when a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fired water cannon at a Philippine vessel during a humanitarian mission in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Tuesday, Sept. 16. A...
(UPDATED) A new maritime confrontation unfolded in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) after Philippine and Chinese vessels reportedly figured in a collision in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) on Tuesday morning, Sept. 16, according to the China Coast guard (CCG). CCG spokesperson Gan Yu...
Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan criticized China over its plan to establish a nature reserve in the Scarborough Shoal, maintaining that the Philippines has ownership of this maritime asset. “Una, hindi inyo yan. Sa lahat ng batas—domestic o international man, amin ‘yan. May karapatan...
Several members of the diplomatic community in the Philippines stood by Manila as it filed a diplomatic protest against China’s plan to build a national nature reserve in the heavily contested Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) in the West Philippine Sea. Ambassadors Franz-Michael Skjold...
Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz has urged Chinese businessmen to invest in the Philippines, emphasizing that the country is “open for business” and citing its strength in tourism, hospitality, wellness services, and education. “We are open for business and we welcome China, our...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has filed a diplomatic protest against China’s plan to build a national nature reserve in the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) in the West Philippine Sea. The protest was filed on Friday, Sept. 12, DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona...
The National Security Council (NSC) firmly opposed the newly announced plan of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to establish a national nature reserve at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año said the...
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday, September 12 rejected China’s plan to construct a so-called “marine nature reserve” in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) and urged Malacañang to summon China’s ambassador to the Philippines to demand an explanation on it. Earlier, the Philippine...