China warned: Don’t try to tow away BRP Sierra Madre

 News
Apr 032014
 
China warned: Don’t try to tow away BRP Sierra Madre

China was warned Thursday against trying to tow away the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, as this could be considered an attack against the Philippines and prompt the United States to defend the country in keeping with their Mutual Defense Treaty. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—China was warned Thursday against trying to tow away the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, as this could be considered an attack against the Philippines and prompt the United States to defend the country in keeping with their Mutual Defense Treaty. And should this happen, international law expert and University of the Philippines law professor Harry Roque said, the result could be a war in Asia. “The result: the West Philippine Sea [dispute], unless China backs off, may trigger the biggest armed conflict in the region since the Vietnam and Indochina conflict,” Roque said in a statement. Roque noted that the Sierra Madre has always been described as a “derelict,” but the government recently described it as a “commissioned naval vessel.” A statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on March 14 said, “The BRP Sierra Madre, a commissioned Philippine naval vessel, was placed in Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to serve as a permanent Philippine government installation in response to China’s illegal occupation of Mischief Reef (Panganiban Reef) in 1995.” The Philippines says Ayungin Shoal is part of its continental shelf, over which it has “sovereign rights and jurisdiction” and by pointing that the Sierra Madre is a commissioned ship, the Read More …

What’s inside BRP Sierra Madre?

 News
Mar 312014
 
What’s inside BRP Sierra Madre?

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 6:59 pm | Monday, March 31st, 2014 Decay and rust lives inside the belly of the BRP Sierra Madre. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE MANILA, Philippines—The BRP Sierra Madre, a rusty ship aground in one of the possible flash points in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), stands alone but without fear in the high seas to maintain Filipino presence. The ship was previously used by the United States during the World War II in the waters of Vietnam. The US handed it over to Vietnam in 1970 and after a few years it was passed on to the Philippines. In 1999, it was purposely run aground in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) to keep its Filipino presence there. Ayungin is located 105 nautical miles off Rizal, Palawan. Though it is located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the resource-rich area is also claimed by the Chinese. The Philippines’ claims are based on the United Nations on the Convention of the Law of the Sea, while China’s claims are based on their old maps made several decades ago. China claims most of the West Philippine Sea as its own. Troops in the ship go on rotation for several months. On March 9, China blocked the Philippines’ attempt to reprovision and rotate its soldiers. Because it was unsuccessful, they made an airdrop instead. Last Saturday, the next attempt after the March 9 incident, the Philippines was able to evade the Chinese blockade. Marines who were Read More …

PHL signs military aircraft contracts for jets, helicopters

 News
Mar 282014
 
PHL signs military aircraft contracts for jets, helicopters

The Philippines on Friday signed agreements to buy $528 million worth of military aircraft from South Korea and Canada amid ongoing territorial disputes with China. “After more than four decades of stagnancy in its dream of improving its capability, our air force has found a promise of new life with the realization of our (military) modernization program,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said. Korea Aerospace Industries will deliver 12 FA-50 jets worth P18.9 billion in just over three years under a contract agreed by defense officials and South Korean government representatives. The Philippines also completed a P4.8-billion contract with Canadian Commercial Corp. and Canada’s Bell Helicopters to build eight helicopters for the military. The twin deals are part of the Philippines’ P75-billion effort to upgrade its armed forces, particularly units tasked with patrolling disputed territory in the South China Sea. These units are dwarfed by those of neighboring China, which claims most of the area, including waters and islets much closer to the Philippines. China said its coast guard on March 9 blocked two Philippine-flagged vessels approaching Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal), which is guarded by a small group of Filipino marines but is also claimed by Beijing, the latest in a string of such confrontations. Under the military upgrade program, President Benigno Aquino’s government has also acquired two refurbished frigates from the US Coast Guard. — Agence France-Presse

PAF wants more sophisticated fighter planes, but will make do with FA-50

 Entertainment
Mar 272014
 
PAF wants more sophisticated fighter planes, but will make do with FA-50

MANILA  (Mabuhay) – After the Philippines sealed deals to purchase FA-50 fighter-trainers and eight Bell 412 helicopters  to boost its defense capability, a Philippine Air Force official on Saturday said they would have wanted more sophisticated fighters. However, PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said they will make do with the 12 brand-new FA-50 from South Korea and eight helicopters from Canada. But he stressed PAF still needs Multi-Role Fighters or “real fighters” for the country’s defense. Okol said a Multi-Role Fighter has swing-role capabilities, “it can swing air-to-air, air-to-surface, air-to-maritime,” and with its attack capabilities, enemies who will try to infiltrate the country will be “mangled up.” He also noted that while President Benigno Aquino III, who is also the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commander-in-Chief, is aware of what is needed, the acquisition of brand-new FA-50 fighters “is already a good start [in] good direction.” “Kung anong ibbiigay sa atin ngayon, we make do what is given,” he said, noting that FA-50 fighters can “carry missiles, intercept aircrafts, deliver bombs, perform maritime strikes….” Defense vs China? Okol was quick to deny that the planned acquisition of fighter jets and helicopters is solely due to the “creeping expansion” of China in the West Philippine Sea. “[The purchases are] for homeland defense against all external threats. It’s just a start of our capability upgrade,” he said. Asked when will the country’s defense attain “minimum capability,” he said it will be by 2023. “Dahan-dahan nating ia-attain ito,” he added. On Friday, Fernando Read More …

Boracay’s White Beach one of world’s best

 News
Mar 212014
 
Boracay’s White Beach one of world’s best

Boracay The tourist favorite White Beach in Boracay has been recognized by a popular travel ratings website as one of the best in the world. Named such for its powder-fine white sand, White Beach ranked 19th on TripAdvisor’s list of Top 25 Beaches in the World for 2014. For the list, TripAdvisor took into account insights from millions of the travel ratings site’s users. Topping the list of best beaches in the world is Baia do Sancho in Brazil, followed by Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos, Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico, Rabbit Beach in Italy and Whitehaven Beach in Whitsunday Islands. In TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Beaches in Asia list, White Beach ranked No. 1, beating counterparts in India, Thailand, China and other countries in the region. Other Philippine entries in this list include Secret Lagoon Beach in El Nido, Palawan, which ranked fourth; and Yapak Beach in Boracay, which ranked sixth. In 2012, Boracay was hailed by TripAdvisor as the second beach destination in the world. The post Boracay’s White Beach one of world’s best appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Discovery Shores Boracay cited as one of PHL’s best Discovery Shores scoops major Travel + Leisure Awards Palawan and Boracay named two best islands in the World PHL wins China’s Best Tropics Island Destination award

Palace maintains diplomatic approach in South China Sea dispute

 Entertainment
Mar 132014
 
Palace maintains diplomatic approach in South China Sea dispute

Photographed through the window of a closed aircraft, an aerial view shows Pagasa Island, part of the disputed Spratly group of islands, in the South China Sea located off the coast of western Philippines Wednesday July 20, 2011. China protested a trip made by Filipino lawmakers to disputed areas in the South China Sea to assert the claim of the Philippines. Ethan Sun, spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Manila, said the trip scheduled was ‘against the spirit’ of a code of conduct signed by claimants to the areas in 2002. The Spratlys, believed to be rich in oil, mineral and marine resources, are also claimed in whole or partly by Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. (AP Photo/Roley Dela Pena, Pool) MANILA  (Mabuhay) — The Philippines is still seeking a peaceful resolution to the territorial dispute in the South China Sea despite the recent incident of harassment involving Chinese vessels. “We believe in the [principle that] what is ours is ours, and so we will continue to push that, and we’re doing that diplomatically,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press conference Wednesday. The Philippines has filed another diplomatic protest against China — its second in two weeks — after Chinese vessels allegedly prevented two Filipino vessels carrying supplies and personnel from going to Philippine-controlled Ayungin Shoal off the South China Sea last Sunday. On Feb. 25, the Philippines also accused China of harassing a group of fishermen off the Scarborough Shoal, another Philippine-claimed area in the South China Read More …

US hits 'provocative' China move on Philippine ships

 News
Mar 122014
 
US hits 'provocative' China move on Philippine ships

WASHINGTON – The United States on Wednesday accused China of raising tensions by blocking two Philippines vessels as it urged freedom of navigation in the tense South China Sea. The United States, a treaty-bound ally of Manila, said it was “troubled” by Sunday’s incident in which China prevented movement of two ships contracted by the Philippine navy to deliver supplies and troops to the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. “This is a provocative move that raises tensions. Pending resolution of competing claims in the South China Sea, there should be no interference with the efforts of claimants to maintain the status quo,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. The Philippines on Tuesday summoned China’s charge d’affaires, accusing Beijing of a “clear and urgent threat” to Manila’s interests. Beijing countered that the ships “infringed China’s territorial sovereignty” and violated a 2002 declaration of conduct in the South China Sea. The United States rejected China’s stance, saying that countries had the right to “regular resupply and rotation of personnel” to locations before the 2002 declaration. The Second Thomas Shoal, which sits around 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan, is claimed by the Philippines, China and Taiwan. Beijing calls it Ren’ai Reef. Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam claim other parts of the Spratly islands, which lie near vital sea lanes and rich fishing grounds and are also believe to sit on vast mineral resources. The United States, while saying it takes no position on the sovereignty of disputed territories, has Read More …

Philippines has ‘right’ to defend its territory like China – Palace

 News
Mar 092014
 
Philippines has ‘right’ to defend its territory like China – Palace

MANILA – The Philippines also has the right to defend every inch of its territory, President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman said on Sunday, after China made a similar warning. Spokesman Herminio Coloma’s remarks came after China’s foreign minister Wang Yi said on Saturday said his country would vigorously defend its sovereignty against “unreasonable demands from smaller countries”. Although he was referring to Japan, which has its own territorial dispute with China, his remarks could also cover China’s other territorial dispute with the Philippines and other countries over parts of the South China Sea. “It is the right of every country to defend its national territory. That is also the principle we are following,” Coloma told reporters, commenting on the Chinese minister’s remarks. Coloma added that the Philippines was basing its position on the principles of international law like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. The Philippines and China, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam are all claimants to parts of the South China Sea, a major sea lane and rich fishing ground which is believed to sit on vast mineral deposits. The Philippines has also expressed growing concern at the increased aggressiveness of the Chinese in pressing their claim to almost all of the waters, even up to the coasts of its neighbors. The Philippine government has sought UN arbitration under UNCLOS to settle the dispute but China has rejected the move. Last month the Philippines lodged a protest after the Chinese coast guard Read More …

US Embassy trumpets programs, ‘easy visa’ processing, Americana in mall tour

 News
Mar 012014
 
US Embassy trumpets programs, ‘easy visa’ processing, Americana in mall tour

MANILA, Philippines—The United States Embassy in Manila on Saturday launched a multimedia event to celebrate Philippine-US ties and showcase the embassy’s programs and services, including “friendly” tourist visa processing. US Embassy in Manila, Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO Dubbed “America in 3D: A Road Show in Diplomacy, Development and Defense,” the weekend-long multimedia, entertainment and education activity was launched at SM Mall of Asia, highlighting the favorite activities of Filipinos and Americans such as shopping, food and music. Ambassador Philip Goldberg described Philippine-US ties as “very strong and very rich,” pointing to the four million Americans of Filipino descent living in the US and the 350,000 US nationals living in the Philippines. “This [event] shows our deep commitment to each other, which is people-to-people. We have our people here to help explain what the embassy does and help demystify some our services,” the ambassador told reporters in an interview. Another presentation also showed the step-by-step process of applying for a tourist visa. Goldberg dispelled perceptions that Filipinos have difficulty obtaining tourist visas to visit the United States. He admitted that the US Embassy compound in Manila may look intimidating with its high walls and strict security but, in reality, the procedure for visa application is “friendly.” “The vast majority of people who apply are approved for visas. [We have] a standard and easy process: You make an appointment, you go in, you have an interview. As long as you are a stable resident of the Philippines, you’re going to get your Read More …

Tokyo bitcoin exchange files for bankruptcy

 Economy
Feb 282014
 
Tokyo bitcoin exchange files for bankruptcy

TOKYO — The Mt. Gox bitcoin exchange in Tokyo filed for bankruptcy protection Friday and its chief executive said 850,000 bitcoins, worth several hundred million dollars, are unaccounted for. The exchange’s CEO Mark Karpeles appeared before Japanese TV news cameras, bowing deeply. He said a weakness in the exchange’s systems was behind a massive loss of the virtual currency involving 750,000 bitcoins from users and 100,000 of the company’s own bitcoins. That would amount to about $425 million at recent prices. The online exchange’s unplugging earlier this week and accusations it had suffered a catastrophic theft have drawn renewed regulatory attention to a currency created in 2009 as a way to make transactions across borders without third parties such as banks. It remains unclear if the missing bitcoins were stolen, voided by technological flaws or both. “I am sorry for the troubles I have caused all the people,” Karpeles, a Frenchman, said in Japanese at a Tokyo court. Karpeles had not made a public appearance since rumors of the exchange’s insolvency surfaced last month. He said in a web post Wednesday that he was working to resolve Mt. Gox’s problems. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The loss is a giant setback to the currency’s image because its boosters have promoted bitcoin’s cryptography as protecting it from counterfeiting and theft. Bitcoin proponents have insisted that Mt. Gox is an isolated case, caused by the company’s technological failures, and the potential of virtual currencies remains great. Debts at Read More …

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