On the South China Sea incident (The Freeman) - July 9, 2019 - 12:00am The incident in the South China Sea in which a Chinese ship rammed a Filipino fishing boat had caused so much controversy. Some sectors are so enraged by the incident and blamed the crew of the Chinese ship for intentionally doing it. Maybe and maybe not. President Duterte is right when he said that we must not rush to conclusion, only after a thorough and full-blown investigation we can arrive at a clear knowledge and understanding of what actually transpired. On just being on accident, we cannot rule out the possibility that the one on watch at the bridge of the Chinese ship that fateful evening was asleep or was drunk, resulting in the catastrophe. This theory is boosted by the statements of some of the crew of the Filipino fishing vessel who believe that perhaps the ramming of the boat by the Chinese ship was just an accident. On the Chinese ship leaving … [Read more...] about On the South China Sea incident
The south china sea
The South China Sea
Antonio Claparols (The Philippine Star) - July 4, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Last June 13, Dr. John McManus shared something vital to the entire world, and I want to personally thank him for his insights and concern. The South China Sea is no ordinary sea. It is one of the most diverse and richest part of the global ocean. It harbors at least over 570 species of reef-building coral, out of less than 1,000 found worldwide. It is responsible for over 15 percent of global fish catch and the larvae from its coral reefs replenish the Pacific Ocean day in and day out. The coral reefs in the South China Sea not only house some of the most diverse of the world’s marine ecosystems, they also regenerate themselves rapidly following typhoons. The only obstacle to this resilience is manmade activities, including the creation of artificial islands, which have been burying the ecosystems deep in sediment and concrete. There is also a … [Read more...] about The South China Sea
China “owns” the South China Sea but…
China “owns” the South China Sea but… (The Freeman) - June 17, 2019 - 12:00am THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH. The collision between a fishing vessel from China and another from the Philippines continues to be a hot issue. The EAR overheard this exchange between two friends talking about it. FRIEND 1: “Grabeha no, gi-angkon g’yud sa China ang tibuok South China Sea?” FRIEND 2: “Ay sus! Wa ra na! Pildi silang Quiboloy. Gi-angkon ang tibuok kalibutan.” … [Read more...] about China “owns” the South China Sea but…
US destroyers sail in disputed South China Sea
WASHINGTON: The US military said two of its warships sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Monday (May 6), a move that could anger Beijing at a time of tense relations between the world's two biggest economies.The South China Sea is one of a growing number of flashpoints in the US-China relationship, which also include a trade war, US sanctions and Taiwan.The US guided-missile destroyers Preble and Chung Hoon traveled within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands, a US military spokesman told Reuters.Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for the Seventh Fleet, said that the "innocent passage" was "to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law". … [Read more...] about US destroyers sail in disputed South China Sea
Palace: Bilateral talks best way to address South China Sea row
Palace: Bilateral talks best way to address South China Sea row MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang believes holding bilateral talks is still the best option to resolve the South China Sea row even if China's aggressive actions in disputed areas persist after the creation of a bilateral mechanism intended to settle the dispute. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said no other party wants to intervene in the the long-standing dispute. "No other party is trying to resolve it right? Nobody wants to intervene. So perhaps, the two countries should just talk," Panelo said in a press briefing. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China have been working towards a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, a first draft of which is supposed to be completed this year. "In the meantime, ASEAN and China continue to reaffirm the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and … [Read more...] about Palace: Bilateral talks best way to address South China Sea row