AFP says it's ready to implement code of conduct in South China Sea
An FA-50 of the Philippine Air Force flies over the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) as its officers stand dueing the flag-raising in the waters of Talampas ng Pilipinas, or Philippine Rise, on Monday, May 19, 2025. Northern Luzon Command photo
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday assured that it is ready to carry out any agreements reached in the proposed Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.
In a press briefing held at Camp Aguinaldo, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, responded to questions regarding the AFP's role in enforcing the code, which is currently under high level discussions in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN).
"Whatever comes out of the Code of Conduct, the AFP is prepared to implement," said Trinidad, underscoring the military's readiness to adapt to the outcomes of regional diplomatic negotiations.
The COC aims to establish formal rules among claimant states in the South China Sea, including the Philippines and China, in order to avoid conflict and manage tensions in the disputed maritime territory.
During the same briefing, Trinidad addressed a number of additional topics, including the future deployment of a Royal Navy aircraft carrier strike group in the Indo-Pacific.
When asked if it was the first time a Royal Navy aircraft carrier was sailing inside Philippine waters, the admiral replied, "The previous activity of the UK Navy was in 2021 when they sent their other aircraft carrier into the Indo-Pacific region."
He also noted the AFP has submitted its position and demands for compensation related to equipment damaged in recent maritime confrontations.
'But again the Armed Forces of the Philippines has submitted its position and its demand for such payment on the cost of this equipment brought about by this incident during the (Rotation and Resupply or RORE missions),' he said, adding that further details should be deferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs. —RF, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- GMA Network
Mongolia PM resigns after anti-corruption protests
Munkhnaran Bayarlkhagva, a political analyst and former adviser on Mongolia's National Security Council, said protesters had effectively helped force a vote on "the legitimacy of the (country's) political system". "The Mongolian Generation Z showed they are willing and able to be a politically engaged, mature and active electorate," he told AFP. ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia - Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene resigned on Tuesday following weeks of anti-corruption protests in the country's capital. The landlocked democracy in northern Asia has battled deep-seated corruption for decades, with many arguing that wealthy elites are hoarding the profits of a years-long coal mining boom at the expense of the general population. Frustrations have flared since last month as public suspicions over the supposedly lavish lifestyles of the prime minister's family have fuelled persistent demonstrations in the capital Ulaanbaatar. Oyun-Erdene announced his resignation on Tuesday after losing a confidence vote among lawmakers, according to a parliamentary statement. "It was an honour to serve my country and people in times of difficulties, including pandemics, wars, and tariffs," he said after the result of the secret ballot was announced to parliament. He will remain as caretaker prime minister until his successor is appointed within 30 days. Dozens of young people gathered on the square outside the parliament building on Tuesday, holding white placards reading "Resignation is easy" -- a popular slogan at recent protests. Several voiced pride that they had taken a stand against what they described as deeply embedded corruption and social injustice. "The youth protest has achieved great results. I'm so proud of the future of Mongolia," participant Unur Sukhbaatar, a 37-year-old political economy researcher, told AFP. "The public wants more stable governance with ethical politicians... protesting and unifying our voice for systemic change (shows) that Mongolian democracy is alive," he told AFP. Some counter-protesters -- overwhelmingly older than their pro-opposition counterparts -- have also turned out to support Oyun-Erdene in recent weeks. Secret ballot Julian Dierkes, a Mongolia expert at Germany's University of Mannheim, said he "(didn't) expect any successor to adopt substantially different policies" from Oyun-Erdene, including on corruption. His ouster "may mean the resurgence of factional politics in his party" after years of comparative stability at the top of Mongolian politics, Dierkes told AFP. Oyun-Erdene has denied the corruption allegations, and in an address to parliament before the vote, blamed "major, visible and hidden interests" for waging an "organised campaign" to bring down the government. He had also warned of political instability and economic chaos if forced out of power. But it was not enough as only 44 lawmakers voted to retain confidence in him, with 38 against. That did not reach the 64-vote threshold required from the 126-seat parliament, prompting Oyun-Erdene to stand down. Gen Z power The move pushed the country's fractious political scene into further uncertainty. Mongolia had been ruled by a three-way coalition government since elections last year resulted in a significantly reduced majority for Oyun-Erdene's Mongolian People's Party (MPP). But the MPP evicted the second-largest member, the Democratic Party (DP), from the coalition last month after some younger DP lawmakers backed calls for Oyun-Erdene's resignation. DP lawmakers walked out of the parliamentary chamber during the confidence ballot. Munkhnaran Bayarlkhagva, a political analyst and former adviser on Mongolia's National Security Council, said protesters had effectively helped force a vote on "the legitimacy of the (country's) political system". "The Mongolian Generation Z showed they are willing and able to be a politically engaged, mature and active electorate," he told AFP. "The Mongolian political establishment had no choice but to comply to retain popular support." 'Strong reminder' Sandwiched between regional giants China and Russia, Mongolia was a communist state during the Cold War, but has transformed into a democracy since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since Oyun-Erdene took power in 2021, Mongolia's ranking in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index has dropped. Concerns over the economy and rising living costs have also stoked unrest. The protests against Oyun-Erdene began in May following accusations of lavish spending by his son, whose fiancee was reportedly seen with expensive gifts on social media. "Parliament showed they can put the public interest above party needs," small business owner Erchissaran Ganbold, 28, told AFP at Tuesday's protest. "This demonstration is a strong reminder for politicians to be accountable and transparent in the future." — Agence France-Presse
GMA Network
13 hours ago
- GMA Network
China issues radio challenge vs PAF aircraft en route Pag-asa Island
Chinese forces issued a radio challenge to a Philippine Air Force (PAF) cargo aircraft headed to Pag-asa Island. In Chino Gaston's Tuesday report on '24 Oras,' the PAF C-130 Hercules was carrying officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and some members of the media to conduct an inspection of Pag-asa Island. The AFP aimed to show the new structures and the current situation of Pag-asa Island and other military outposts in the Kalayaan Island Group. Also onboard the plane were a number of residents and elementary school teachers. However, as the plane neared Pag-asa, China issued a radio challenge. 'Before we landed, there was a radio challenge. There was one radio challenge that occurred but hindi na ito nag prosper and with that ang sagot naman ng ating mga piloto, of course, we are asserting pa rin and holding our sovereign with this. We conducted itong media embedded maritime patrol na makita talaga natin yung situation in the area,' AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla said. (Before we landed, there was a radio challenge. There was one radio challenge that occurred, but it did not prosper and our pilots' response has always been the same: we are attesting and holding our sovereign. We conducted a media-embedded maritime patrol to show the situation in the area.) The new airport control tower is almost finished, while the current three-kilometer long runway is currently being extended to accommodate larger aircraft. These developments are in stark contrast to a decaying watchtower and derelict amphibious tanks deployed by the military in the 1970s around the island. The island's electricity comes from a community generator while a desalination plant converts seawater to drinking water. A fisherman told reporters that fishing in the waters off Pag-asa has been difficult due to the presence of the Chinese and Vietnamese vessels. He mentioned their crews used cyanide to catch fish. Due to the bad weather and strong waves on Tuesday morning, Chinese fishing militia vessels surrounding the island were only observed in the afternoon once the weather improved. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
South Korea votes for new president after martial law turmoil
A woman votes at a polling station during the presidential election in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025. REUTERS/Go Nakamura South Koreans began voting Tuesday for a new president, six months to the day after ex-leader Yoon Suk Yeol plunged the country into political chaos with his disastrous declaration of martial law. A handful of elderly voters lined up at a polling station in Seoul's Munrae-dong area at 6 am (2100 GMT) to cast their ballots when voting began. "We were the first to arrive with the hope our candidate gets elected, and because the presidential election is the most important," Yu Bun-dol, 80, told AFP, adding she was voting for the conservative People Power Party (PPP) -- Yoon's former party. Millions have already cast their ballots in the snap election, with more than a third of registered voters doing so last week during two days of early voting, the National Election Commission said. All major polls have put liberal Lee Jae-myung well ahead, with the latest Gallup survey showing 49 percent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate. Campaigning is not allowed on election day, but Lee posted on Facebook that the vote would "show the strength of the Korean people," after months of turmoil. Kim Moon-soo, from the conservative PPP, has trailed Lee in the polls, on 35 percent in the Gallup survey. The fallout from martial law declaration, which has left South Korea effectively leaderless for the first months of US President Donald Trump's second term, is the top concern for voters, experts said. "Polls show the election is largely viewed as a referendum on the previous administration," Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women's University, told AFP. "The martial law and impeachment crisis not only swayed moderates but also fractured the conservative base." Yoon's impeachment over the martial law bid, which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament, made him the second straight conservative president to be stripped of office after Park Geun-hye in 2017. Conservative candidate Kim also failed to convince a third party candidate, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, to unify and avoid splitting the right-wing vote. Voter Park dong-shin, 79, said Yoon's martial law declaration "was the kind of thing done during the old days of dictatorship in our country." He said he was voting for the candidate who would make sure those responsible were "properly dealt with." 'Turning point' Seoul's streets were peaceful as people made the most of good weather and a public holiday, but police issued the highest level of alert and deployed thousands of officers to ensure the poll proceeded smoothly. South Korean presidents serve a single five-year term. Lee's Democratic Party already holds a parliamentary majority and analysts say the fractured conservative base will struggle in opposition unless it can resolve its issues. "Conservative politics was associated with competent governance, but it's now hard to argue that they remain capable," said Kang Won-taek, a political science professor at Seoul National University. With a regular presidential election, there is a months-long transition period, and the new leader's term begins at midnight after the predecessor's final day. But in a snap election, the winner becomes president as soon as the National Election Commission ratifies the vote tally. After months of turmoil and a revolving door of lame-duck acting leaders, many South Koreans are eager for the country to move forward. Cab driver Choi Sung-wook, 68, said he was voting for liberal Lee, partly due to his impoverished childhood, which he believed "will have a big influence on how he will serve the people". "I thought Yoon would do well, but he betrayed the people. I hope the next president will create an atmosphere of peace and unity rather than ideological warfare." Overall voter turnout is expected to be high. "The focus won't be on whether Lee will win, but on whether he will secure more than 50 percent of the vote," said Bae Kang-hoon, co-founder of political think tank Valid. "If he manages to do so, it would give him a significant boost in momentum to govern as president." — Agence France-Presse
