Tag Archives: Bajo de Masinloc

For some Filipino fishermen, the South China Sea dispute is personal

MASINLOC, Philippines — When nations duel over reefs, rocks and islets, people are going to get hurt, and in the South China Sea dispute, that means the fishermen here who once wrested a living from the contested waters. Gunmen in a Chinese speedboat drove Macario Forones, for instance, away from a favorite spot called Scarborough […]

When Scarborough was ‘Panacot’

Common sense, as we all know, is far from common. Then there are the things we hold to be true without question. When we take the trouble to give these a second look, sometimes we are surprised to find the opposite to be true. People who have followed this column for many years know how […]

“Historical Facts, Historical Lies, and Historical Rights in the West Philippine Sea” A Lecture by Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio February 21 (2-4 PM), Lopez Museum and Library

Lopez Museum and Library and Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs welcomes Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio as he presents a historical perspective and legal basis on the Philippine claim of Scarborough Shoal, one of the features of the contested West Philippine Sea, on February 21, 2015, Saturday, from 2 – 4PM. […]

China’s Large-Scale Reclamation Works Over Disputed Spratly Islands Not Valid: Study

In the course of the dispute over the Spratly Islands, China’s extensive reclamation works do not necessarily act as a ticket to win sovereignty claims in accordance with the maritime provisions of international law. A Eurasia Review analysis cited China’s ongoing infrastructure projects on several of the seven reefs it occupies in Spratly. But according […]

Defending What is Rightfully and Legitimately Ours

HON. ALBERT F. DEL ROSARIO Secretary of Foreign Affairs Introduction Supreme Court Senior Associate, the Honorable Justice Antonio T. Carpio; The Honorable Leila De Lima, Secretary of Justice; The Honorable Voltaire Gazmin, Secretary of National Defense; The Honorable Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales; The Honorable Chairman Juan Andres Baustista,PCGG; Bro. Michael Broughton, FSC, Vice Chancellor for Lasallian […]

Implications of the Philippines-US military deal

President Barack Obama’s visit to the Philippines, the last leg of his recent 4-nation Asian tour, produced a new bilateral defense agreement that was touted by some observers as the single most significant outcome of his regional foray. The agreement was said to contribute to his goals of reassuring allies and signaling that the United […]

Manila Welcomes U.S. Muscle to Counter Beijing

After an absence of more than 20 years, American forces will return to the Philippines under a 10-year agreement reached between the two countries on Monday in conjunction with U.S. President Barack Obama’s recent visit to Manila. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation agreement seeks to broaden U.S. access to bases on a rotational, temporary basis, and […]

Govt ‘will never accept’ China’s 9-dash line

Malacañang declared on Wednesday that it would ‘never respect China’s nine-dash claim’ in the South China Sea and that no one – especially not Beijing – can prevent Filipino fishermen from plying the country’s waters. “[We will never respect it because] it’s a derogation of international laws. Nine-dash line is something we cannot accept,” said […]