AFP: Civilian ship sent to avoid standoff at Ayungin

 News
Mar 302014
 
AFP: Civilian ship sent to avoid standoff at Ayungin

A dilapidated Philippine Navy ship LT 57 (Sierra Madre) with Philippine troops deployed on board is anchored off Second Thomas Shoal (local name: Ayungin Shoal) Saturday, March 29, 2014 off West Philippine Sea. An hour from the shoal, the Chinese coast guard ship closed in on the Philippines supply vessel and twice crossed its bow. AP PHOTO/BULLIT MARQUEZ MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday said it sent a government civilian ship to Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) over the weekend to avoid confrontation with Chinese naval forces patrolling disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea. Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP public affairs office chief, maintained that the mission of the civilian vessel, which figured in a two-hour standoff with two Chinese Coast Guard ships on Saturday, was to resupply Marines manning the grounded Philippine Navy ship on Ayungin Shoal and replace them with a new team of soldiers. “The objective was just to resupply our troops. The mission is done,” Zagala told the Inquirer in a phone interview. “We sent a civilian vessel to avoid a confrontation [with the Chinese forces]. We simply want to reprovision and rotate our troops there,” he said. “We used a civilian vessel to show them our intent, which was to reprovision and rotate our personnel, and nothing more,” Zagala said, adding that it was a regular mission. Other countries with territorial claims in the South China Sea also resupply their troops, he said. Until March 9, when the Chinese Coast Guard Read More …

Ship expulsion ‘clear threat to PH rights’—DFA

 News
Mar 112014
 
Ship expulsion ‘clear threat to PH rights’—DFA

Philippine Foreign Affairs Department spokesman Raul Hernandez AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — For the second time in 2014, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels drove away Filipinos from maritime features in the West Philippine Sea and subsequently rejected the protest filed by the Philippine government. On March 9, two civilian vessels contracted by the Philippine Navy to resupply and bring fresh troops onto the grounded ship BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, were blocked and then told to leave the vicinity of the shoal because it was Chinese territory. This was the first time in 15 years that China has interfered with the Navy’s resupply and troop rotation operations on the BRP Sierra Madre, which was run aground in 1999 to mark the Philippine’s claims, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez told reporters in a press conference Tuesday. “China’s actions constitute a clear and urgent threat to the rights and interests of the Philippines under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” Hernandez said. “Ayungin Shoal is part of the continental shelf of the Philippines and is therefore entitled to exercise sovereignty rights and jurisdiction in the area without the permission of other States,” he said. The BRP Sierra Madre serves as an outpost to a small marine detachment stationed there to defend the shoal. The DFA has submitted a protest to the Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy Tuesday but the protest was immediately rejected, Hernandez said. “[China gave] the Read More …

DFA issues protest on China’s expulsion of PH ships

 News
Mar 112014
 
DFA issues protest on China’s expulsion of PH ships

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 5:01 pm | Tuesday, March 11th, 2014 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The expulsion by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) of two Filipino civilian vessels in Ayungin Shoal constitutes a “clear and urgent threat to the rights and interests of the Philippines,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday. The two Philippines ships were civilian contractors of the Philippine Navy and were only conducting resupply and troop rotation operations at the BRP Sierra Madre outpost on Ayungin shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, where marines are defending the shoal. This was the first time in 15 years that China has interfered with the Navy’s operation on the shoal, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez told reporters in a press conference. The DFA has submitted a protest to the Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy Tuesday but the protest was immediately rejected, Hernandez said. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Ayungin Shoal , China , Features , Global Nation Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to Read More …

2 Coast Guard ships ready to guard Panatag Shoal on gov’t go-signal

 News
Mar 032014
 
2 Coast Guard ships ready to guard Panatag Shoal on gov’t go-signal

AFP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Not a single Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel has been deployed to Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) since PCG ships and their Chinese counterparts faced off in the West Philippine Sea rock formation for two weeks in mid-2012. But Commander Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson and chief of the public affairs office, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Monday, that at least two Coast Guard ships—the search-and-rescue vessel BRP Corregidor (001) and the buoy tender BRP San Juan (AE-391)—were “on standby” at the PCG headquarters in Port Area, Manila and could be sent to the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) rock formation “if ordered by the higher-ups.” Balilo was referring to “Malacañang through the DOTC,” not the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, tasked by the government to oversee security in the West Philippine Sea. The 540-ton Corregidor is 56 meters long, has a cruising speed of  26 knots and a range of more than 1,000 nautical miles. Built by the Australian shipbuilding firm Tenix, the multi-role vessel was commissioned by the PCG in June 2002. In November, it was one of several PCG vessels that ferried relief goods to Eastern Visayas provinces ravaged by Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan). The 730-ton San Juan, nearly 57 meters long, was built by Niigata Engineering, a Japanese shipbuilding company. It runs at a slow 12 knots but has a cruising range of over 2,000 nautical miles. The ship was commissioned in February 1998 by the 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 …

Philippines optimistic to win case against China

 News
Feb 272014
 
Philippines optimistic to win case against China

By Matikas SantosINQURER.net 8:44 pm | Thursday, February 27th, 2014 Philippine Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza is confident and optimistic that the international arbitral tribunal hearing the maritime dispute case between Philippines and China will rule that the nine-dash line claim of China is invalid. MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines is optimistic and confident that it will win in its arbitration case against China, saying Beijing’s moves to pursue its territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) are ‘invalid.” “We are here to prove that from the point of view of the rule of law, all of the actions and all of the claims of China are not consistent with the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and therefore they are invalid,” Jardeleza said in a forum organized by the Philippine Society of International Law Thursday. “We are a small country but we plan to win big on this litigation,” he said. The Philippines is protesting the nine-dash line claim of China that covers nearly the entire South China Sea including parts of the country’s 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Under the UNCLOS, a country is entitled to a 200 nautical mile EEZ from the coastline where it has the sole right to exploit the maritime resources within. Former University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law dean Merlin Magallona said in the forum that China’s interpretation of UNCLOS was wrong and that is the reason for the Philippines seeking arbitration before the UN. “The Philippines’ basis is telling China that you are wrong Read More …

PH protests China water cannon attack

 News
Feb 252014
 
PH protests China water cannon attack

Philippine Foreign Affairs Department spokesman Raul Hernandez gestures as he answers questions from reporters during a press conference at Foreign Affairs headquarters in Pasay City on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. The Philippines has called in a Chinese envoy to protest what it says was the firing of a water cannon by a Chinese government vessel on Filipino fishermen in a disputed shoal in the West Philippine Sea. AP PHOTO/AARON FAVILA MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines on Tuesday strongly protested China’s water cannon attack on Filipino fishermen in a disputed shoal nearly a month ago, citing how such acts “escalate tensions” and “threaten the peace” in the region. Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told reporters that while the Chinese action was “alarming,” it did not warrant an immediate military response. “I don’t think it would be appropriate if we send the Philippine Navy at this time. It will just escalate the situation,” Zagala said. “Rest assured that the Armed Forces will do its mandate when the time comes.” The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned Chinese Chargé d’Affaires Sun Xiangyang and presented a note verbale protesting reported incidents of harassment that Chinese vessels had committed to prevent Filipinos from fishing in Panatag Shoal, also known as Scarborough Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc, in the West Philippine Sea, or South China Sea. The protest was received by the chargé d’affaires. The new Chinese ambassador-designate, Zhao Jinhua, who arrived on Sunday night, has yet to begin officially his Read More …

PH listed as 3rd most dangerous place for journalists

 News
Feb 192014
 
PH listed as 3rd most dangerous place for journalists

By Nestor CorralesINQUIRER.net 6:06 pm | Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 Maguindanao massacre. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines was listed as the third most dangerous place for journalist in the world following Syria and Iraq, a report from the International News Safety Institute’s said. The report entitled “Killing the Messenger” provided information about 134 journalists and media personnel who were killed doing their work in 29 countries in 2013. The report said 20 journalists died in Syria which retained its spot as the most dangerous place for journalist in the world for the second year while 16 died in Iraq, 14 died in the Philippines. The report revealed that 65 journalists lost their lives in armed conflict situations while 69 were killed in peacetime covering issues such as crime and corruption. The report added that most journalists were targeted and shooting was the most common cause of death with 63 percent. The report added that print media is the most dangerous among any other medium. In the Philippines, unprecedented media killings continues to pose threat to the country including the unresolved Maguindanao massacre which is considered the deadliest single event for journalists in history. RELATED STORIES PH’s slow justice system has worsened impunity in media killings—senators PH rank in press freedom index drops to 149 from 147 PH government is committed to end impunity, says Coloma Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Read More …

Albay lawmaker warns gov’t of worse sanctions from HK

 News
Feb 042014
 
Albay lawmaker warns gov’t of worse sanctions from HK

INQUIRER.net 6:05 pm | Tuesday, February 4th, 2014 Albay Representative Al Francis Bichara. Facebook photo MANILA, Philippines – A lawmaker believes the government should have apologized earlier to Hong Kong over the botched hostage-taking crisis three years ago. Albay Representative Al Francis Bichara said at a press briefing Tuesday that it would be more shameful if the government waits for worse sanctions from Hong Kong before it apologizes. “We could have done that earlier because apparently we cannot always say that is the fault of the police captain. We’re part of the operations and we are partly to blame, also,” Bichara said when asked if the government should give in to Hong Kong’s demands. “Kung hihintayin pa natin na maipit tayo, mas lalong nakakahiya (It would be more embarrassing if we wait for things to get worse before we apologize),” he added. Bichara made the statement after Hong Kong suspended the current visa-free arrangement for visiting Philippine diplomats and officials. The sanction will start on February 5. Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said the government may take more action if it thought it could be “effective” in securing an apology over the hostage-taking. Hong Kong is infuriated as the Philippines refused to apologize for the act of a disgruntled police officer who hijacked a tourist bus boarded by its nationals in 2010.  Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed because of a botched police operation. Since the crisis, relations have soured between the Philippines and Hong Kong, home to some Read More …

First Filipino-Canadian senator recounts rise through the ranks

 News
Jan 272014
 
First Filipino-Canadian senator recounts rise through the ranks

Loading the player… Senator Tobias Enverga Jr. MANILA, Philippines – Canada’s first senator of Filipino descent was once a struggling overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who left the Philippines seeking adventure. “I went to Canada for adventure, I took a chance,” Senator Tobias Enverga Jr. shared with INQUIRER.net in an interview January 24, while he was in the country leading a Filipino delegation of “winter escapees” from Canada. “I never realized I will be a Canadian Senator,” he told the 240-strong delegation, mostly composed of Canadians of Filipino descent, that toured Kalibo, Boracay, Roxas City, Iloilo City, and Guimaras from January 18 to 23 as part of the first “Winter Escapade” tour. Filipino roots Enverga was born to a middle-class family in Lucena City. He shared that there were two clans of Envergas in Lucena, one was mostly composed of politicians and the other was mostly educators. “I’m part of the educators,” he said. During college, he went to the Letran College in Manila where he graduated with a degree in Economics. He worked for less than a year in two banks in the country after he graduated. He met his wife there in the bank, Enverga recalled. He however said that he felt “tired” about being in the Philippines. “I got so tired about being here in the Philippines,” Enverga said. “When you are a young man you have so many things going on in your life.” It was then that he decided to go to Canada to stay with Read More …

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