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...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it will file a diplomatic protest against China’s planned establishment of a national nature reserve in the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc), which is an integral part of the Philippines’ sovereignty and jurisdiction. The DFA...
A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from June 25 to 29 revealed that Filipinos continue to give “very high” trust in the United States (US), while trust in Palestine, China, and Iran remains “poor.” The survey results released on Tuesday, Sept. 9 showed that 72 percent of...
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday, Sept. 8, criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping’s advocacy to create a Beijing-led “multipolar world” which is seen as a counter to the Western narrative of a United States-led international order. Speaking at the...
Due to bad weather conditions, the number of Chinese vessels monitored around Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal has significantly decreased from 24 to nine, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed Monday, Sept. 8. AFP spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday, Sept. 6, maintained that visa requirements on Chinese nationals did not result in the decline of tourist arrivals from China. This was after Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said that Chinese tourist arrivals went...
Pointing out how “some neighbors” have been “stealing” the Philippines’ marine resources, a United States official said that the Trump administration is expected to tap Filipino fishermen as the “first line” in monitoring illegal fishing in the contested South China Sea. Principal...
The Chinese Foreign Ministry once more warned Philippine officials for their provocative and “irresponsible remarks” about the China-Taiwan issue, saying that such actions “will only backfire.” In his regular press conference on Friday, Sept. 5, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo...
The Department of National Defense (DND) stood firm behind Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday night, Sept. 5, after the Chinese Embassy in Manila accused him of making “anti-China” remarks that it considered as “arrogant” and “ignorant of history.” Defense spokesperson...
Two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships stood their ground against 24 Chinese vessels during a possible rotation and resupply (RORE) mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Friday, Sept. 5. Rear Adm. Roy Vincent...
The Philippines will not alter its resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal despite a reported increase in Chinese vessel activities in the area, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said. In an interview, NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez told reporters in Manila that Chinese...
