Monthly Archives: July 2013

Will there be war between the Philippines and China?

By Raïssa Robles With the continuous incursions of Chinese ships into Philippine waters, a friend recently told me she is seriously thinking of migrating to another country. China might invade the Philippines, she said. When, she doesn’t know, but she said she’d rather go while still young and able to. While I see an actual […]

Study: The Philippines v . China Case and the South China Sea Disputes

Asia Society / LKY SPP Conference South China Sea: Central to Asia – Pacific Peace and Security New York, March 13-15, 2013 Panel 3. Roles of International Law and Governance On 22 January 2013, the Philippines officially notified China that it had instituted arbitral proceedings against China under Annex VII of the 1982 United Nations […]

SC stops Zambales mines; Chinese ‘invaders’ socked

The Supreme Court yesterday issued a temporary environment protection order (TEPO) against 94 “small-scale mines” that extract nickel in Zambales. Among the “small” mines are at least five fronts of giant nickel miners from China (see Gotcha, 24 July 2013). Allegedly operating outside the allowable area, the mines are illegal, pollutive, unregulated, untaxed, and destabilizing […]

China unveils coast guard to handle sea conflict

BEIJING – China’s new unified coast guard agency has gone into operation, state media reported Tuesday amid maritime disputes with neighbors, and experts said more ships will be armed as a result. The China Coast Guard integrates the functions of marine surveillance, the existing coast guard which came under the police, fisheries law enforcement and […]

The Philippines’ Search for Strategic Partners

The Philippines also offered to boost ties with Australia to the level of a strategic partnership, with President Aquino saying that it is “high time” for two countries that  “have shared values, shared background, shared aspirations and perhaps also shared problems” to step up cooperation. While Australia has yet to officially respond to this request, […]

Why China’s tough stance is unsustainable

China’s tough stand on maritime territorial disputes, evident in the confrontations last year with the Philippines in the South China Sea and with Japan in the East China Sea, has endured through China’s… Read more: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/361088/why-china-tough-stance-is-unsustainable

Chinese have ‘invaded’ Zambales mainland too

It’s not only Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag/Scarborough Shoal) that the Chinese have occupied. They also have grabbed a slice of mainland Zambales, 108 kilometers east. There Chinese miners rule, stealing nickel ore the same way they poach fish in the shoal. Bribed local officials abet them like modern-day Makapili collaborators. In the West Philippine Sea-side […]

Asians must avoid rocky ride ahead

Disputes over islands are sowing mistrust and risk sparking an unintended conflict. OUR little boat bobbed about in the churning waters for several hours before we caught sight of the tiny island, 45km east of Singapore. A mere speck on the vast sea, it looked forlorn with its solitary lighthouse. As we approached the rock, […]