Monthly Archives: July 2018

Philippines raises concern over Chinese radio warnings to stay away from South China Sea islands

A Philippine air force plane on patrol near Chinese-held islands was warned to leave and ‘keep off to avoid misunderstanding’, according to a report The Philippines has expressed concern to China over an increasing number of Chinese radio messages warning Philippine aircraft and ships to stay away from newly fortified islands and other territories in […]

Philippines raises concern over Chinese radio warnings

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has expressed concern to China over an increasing number of Chinese radio messages warning Philippine aircraft and ships to stay away from newly fortified islands and other territories in the South China Sea claimed by both countries, officials said Monday. A Philippine government report seen by The Associated Press showed […]

Cayetano: What about Del Rosario’s transparency on South China Sea?

MANILA, Philippines — Insisting that the Duterte administration has always been transparent on its foreign policy, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano claimed that former President Benigno Aquino III was misinformed on the West Philippine Sea issue. Aquino has been calling on the Duterte administration to be more transparent on its negotiations with China on […]

Indonesia is protecting its South China Sea territory against ‘foreign’ threats

Southeast Asia’s largest economy is defending its maritime rights within the disputed South China Sea in a perceived act against Chinese encroachment. Indonesia has long maintained an exclusive economic zone in waters claimed by Beijing, but unlike many of its neighbors, it’s never been a player in the long-simmering conflict that’s weighed on intra-Asian relations. […]

China: Yes, We Sent Ships to Jackson Atoll in Spratlys

China’s Foreign Ministry explains why its vessels warned Philippine fishermen away from the disputed feature. As The Diplomat reported yesterday, Philippine media claim that Chinese Coast Guard vessels ousted Philippines fisherman from one of the features in the Spratly Island group, in the South China Sea. By doing so, China would have effectively gained control […]

Malaysia to be firmer in row over South China Sea

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said Wednesday that Malaysia’s new government will adopt a firmer stand in tackling a decades-old territorial row in the South China Sea amid China’s aggressive expansion in the disputed area. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who won a stunning electoral victory in May, has said warships should be […]

‘Rock Solid’: ‘The Lord of the Rings’ of law

The book “Rock Solid,” by veteran Supreme Court watcher Marites Vitug, is “The Lord of the Rings” of legal journalism. Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio towers as its Gandalf, our maritime arbitration’s architect. Luminaries such as then Solicitors General Francis Jardeleza and Florin Hilbay and then Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra play Aragorn, Legolas and […]

Cayetano pushes Philippines-China joint oil exploration in South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines — Joint exploration and development with China in the hotly contested South China Sea will ensure that the Philippines will not be in danger of losing oil and gas, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said on Wednesday. In an interview over radio dzMM, Cayetano pushed for joint exploration and development as the […]