'Basta ipaalam': China to allow Philippine access to Ayungin if informed ahead --- James Relativo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Beijing officials will not hamper Filipino access to Ayungin Shoal — a feature situated within the West Philippine Sea — provided that they are informed in advance. Mao Ning, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, shared this to the international media last Friday after the China Coast Guard tried to stop the evacuation of a sick Filipino soldier from the BRP Sierra Madre last May 19, 2024. "China’s position on the issue of Ren’ai Jiao is clear," said Mao on Friday, referring to Ayungin Shoal's Chinese name. "If the Philippines notifies the Chinese side in advance, we can allow delivery of living necessities to the grounded warship or evacuation of personnel concerned." Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela earlier referred to the China Coast Guard's action as "barbaric and inhumane," stating that the latter rammed the inflatable boat carrying the Filipino solider on purpose. The Philippine military recently claimed that Chinese boats "illegally seized" food and medicine airdropped to a Filipino outpost also at Ayungin. Ayungin Shoal, known internationally as Second Thomas Shoal, is occupied by the Philippine Navy through the BRP Sierra Madre since 1999. Said board has been intentionally grounded on the feature and periodically replenished with supplies since then. China insists its sovereign rights on Ayungin Shoal even if it lies well within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. It also continues to claim almost the entirety of the South China Sea even after the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated their nine-dash line claim in favor of Manila. The West Philippine Sea lies within the South China Sea. "However, the Philippines should not use this [permission] as an excuse for delivering construction materials in an attempt to permanently occupy Ren’ai Jiao," continued Mao. China plans on detaining for 60 days, without trial, suspected "trespassers" into the South China starting June 15, a position that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier protested. Progressive groups such as PAMALAKAYA have earlier called for the demilitarization of the West Philippine Sea, saying that it should be used for economic purposes such as fishing instead of a warmongering military projection of any foreign power.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Russia defense ministry says destroyed 36 Ukrainian drones --- Agence France-Presse

MOSCOW, Russia — Russian forces destroyed three dozen Ukrainian drones in areas near the border, Moscow's Ministry of Defense said Sunday. "Air defence systems on duty destroyed fifteen UAVs over Kursk region, nine UAVs over Lipetsk region, four UAVs each over Voronezh and Bryansk regions and two UAVs each over Oryol and Belgorod regions," the ministry said in a Telegram post. Voronezh Governor Aleksandr Gusev said on Telegram that air defences had "destroyed several Ukrainian UAVs" and "there were no casualties or damage". Both sides have used drones, including larger self-detonating craft with ranges stretching hundreds of kilometres, extensively throughout the conflict, which began in February 2022. Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russian territory this year, targeting both energy sites that it says fuel Russia's military, as well as towns and villages just across the border. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a major new land
Read more

UP Diliman Professors Share Scientists’ Procurement Struggles at Senate Hearing

By Harvey Sapigao Senate hearing of the revised procurement law (Photo credit: Senate of the Philippines) College of Science (CS) Dean Giovanni Tapang held up a little white device as he finished his presentation. “This is a ₱150,000 component,” he described. “Isa lang gumagawa nito sa buong mundo, pero ang hirap pilitin sila na magregister sa PhilGEPS,” he continued, referring to the requirement that foreign companies must first register to the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) before they can sell products to local scientists. Marine Science Institute (MSI) Deputy Director Dr. Irene Rodriguez explained that the small device is a resin that filters metals in water. “May budget tayo,” she said, “pero ang problema ko ay ‘yung resin na ito.” This and other bottlenecks brought about by the procurement law, or the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), slow down research and development in the country. UPD leaders were invited to the Senate he
Read more

How war is putting Middle East aviation at risk ---AL JAZEERA

The human suffering in Gaza is accompanied by losses that are undermining this vital industry With more than 40 years' experience in aviation, including a stint as chief executive Bahrain's Gulf Air and sitting on the International Air Transport Association's Board of Governors, Royal Jordanian’s CEO Samer Majali is someone who knows the industry in the Middle East – and its challenges – like few others. In an exclusive interview with The National yesterday, he spoke for many executives when he described how six months of violence in Israel and Palestine had hurt his airline and the region’s economy. While the human cost is, of course, the biggest, and Palestinian society is bearing the brunt of this war, its consequences are far reaching. The plummeting bookings, operational difficulties and financial losses being experienced by the aviation sector are being exacerbated by a widespread perception that the Middle East is in turmoil. “They lump the region as a homogeneous
Read more