logo
PH, China exchange radio challenges near Panata Island

PH, China exchange radio challenges near Panata Island

GMA Network06-06-2025
The Philippines and China exchanged radio challenges on Friday near Panata Island in the West Philippine Sea.
According to a ''24 Oras'' report by Chino Gaston on Friday, BRP Andres Bonifacio detected a Jiangkai class frigate (bow number 525) and two militia vessels before 8 a.m. while on a maritime patrol.
The Philippine Navy vessel issued a radio challenge, which was not immediately answered by the Chinese side.
They were within 4.6 nautical miles of the Chinese ship.
'We conducted the standard radio challenge within the territorial waters of Panata Island. They counter-challenged, and we counter-challenged that Panata Island and KIG (Kalayaan Island Group) are part of the Philippines. Once we issued our radio challenge, they immediately changed their course, going to Subi Reef,' said BRP Andres Bonifacio commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Christian Malabanan.
Malabanan added it was critical to follow the rules of engagement in line with government policies to prevent violent confrontations.
'One action of the tactical units, which is kami po, is we'll escalate or de-escalate a certain situation. So, kung ano po yung binigay sa amin ng ROE (rules of engagement), stick po kami doon, and if ano yung general [instruction] ng government natin, yung po yung sinusunod namin. Although yung pressure na dyan, sir… We are trained to have a decision na mag-conduct ng in-line to avoid any action na magiging detrimental naman po sa government namin,' he said.
(One action of the tactical units, which is us, is we'll escalate or de-escalate a certain situation. So, whatever the ROE gives us, we will stick with it, and whatever the general [instruction] of the government is, that is what we follow. Although, the pressure is there… We are trained to have a decision to avoid any action that will be detrimental to the government.)
Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts that fall within Manila's exclusive economic zone.
In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims, but Beijing has not recognized the decision. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

China's Premier Li proposes global AI cooperation organization
China's Premier Li proposes global AI cooperation organization

GMA Network

timea day ago

  • GMA Network

China's Premier Li proposes global AI cooperation organization

Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaks during the EU-China Business Leaders Symposium, at the 25th European Union - China Summit in the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, 24 July 2025. ANDRES MARTINEZ CASARES/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo SHANGHAI - Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday proposed establishing an organization to foster global cooperation on artificial intelligence, calling on countries to coordinate on the development and security of the fast-evolving technology. Speaking at the opening of the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Li called AI a new engine for growth, but adding that governance is fragmented and emphasizing the need for more coordination between countries to form a globally recognized framework for AI. The three-day event brings together industry leaders and policymakers at a time of escalating technological competition between China and the United States — the world's two largest economies — with AI emerging as a key battleground. "Currently, overall global AI governance is still fragmented. Countries have great differences particularly in terms of areas such as regulatory concepts, institutional rules," Li said. "We should strengthen coordination to form a global AI governance framework that has broad consensus as soon as possible," he said. Washington has imposed export restrictions on advanced technology to China, including the most high-end AI chips made by companies such as Nvidia and chipmaking equipment, citing concerns that the technology could enhance China's military capabilities. Despite these restrictions, China has continued making AI breakthroughs that have drawn close scrutiny from US officials. Li did not name the United States in his speech, but he warned that AI could become an "exclusive game" for a few countries and companies, and said challenges included an insufficient supply of AI chips and restrictions on talent exchange. China wanted to share its development experience and products with other countries, especially those in the Global South, Li said. WAIC is an annual government-sponsored event in Shanghai that typically attracts major industry players, government officials, researchers and investors. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has in past years regularly appeared at the opening ceremony both in-person and via video, did not speak this year. Besides forums, the conference also features exhibitions where companies demonstrate their latest innovations. This year, more than 800 companies are participating, showcasing more than 3,000 high-tech products, 40 large language models, 50 AI-powered devices and 60 intelligent robots, according to organizers. The exhibition features predominantly Chinese companies, including tech giants Huawei and Alibaba and startups such as humanoid robot maker Unitree. Western participants include Tesla, Alphabet and Amazon. —Reuters

PH, China tackle consular issues, safety of nationals in Beijing meeting
PH, China tackle consular issues, safety of nationals in Beijing meeting

GMA Network

time4 days ago

  • GMA Network

PH, China tackle consular issues, safety of nationals in Beijing meeting

'Law enforcement is one of the areas where bilateral cooperation can continue to flourish and where information-sharing on law enforcement can be further strengthened,' said Mendoza-Oblena, who met her Chinese counterpart, Director-General for Consular Affairs Long Zhou. Senior diplomats from the Philippines and China met in Beijing this week to tackle pressing concerns involving their respective citizens in each other's territory. After six years, Manila and Beijing resumed their Joint Consular Consultation on July 22 in the Chinese capital, where they discussed the "safety, rights, and welfare of their respective nationals, as well as law enforcement cooperation, trade and investment, and tourism," the Philippine embassy in China said Wednesday. 'Our relations have faced challenges, but we continue to cooperate in protecting our nationals and persist in aspiring for more people-to-people exchanges,' said Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Antonina Mendoza-Oblena, head of the Philippine delegation. Both sides acknowledged the ongoing cooperation in addressing transnational and other crimes in their countries, including illegal gambling, but the embassy declined to say, when sought for comment, if the case of the three Filipinos who were arrested last year in China on suspicion of espionage was discussed. There was also no mention of China's recent travel warning urging Chinese students considering enrolling in Philippine schools to exercise caution due to an unstable security situation in the country. Manila protested China's advisory, calling it "incorrect, inaccurate" and a "mischaracterization" of the situation in the Philippines. Several lawmakers and groups have raised concerns about the influx of Chinese students in the northern Philippine province of Cagayan, which hosts two military bases that can be used by American troops under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between Manila and Washington. It was not clear how many Chinese nationals are enrolled in Philippine schools, but previous media reports said the number could be between 400 to 4,600. The Chinese embassy could not confirm this. 'Law enforcement is one of the areas where bilateral cooperation can continue to flourish and where information-sharing on law enforcement can be further strengthened,' said Mendoza-Oblena, who met her Chinese counterpart, Director-General for Consular Affairs Long Zhou. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2024 ordered the banning of widespread Chinese-run online gaming operations in the Philippines, accusing some of venturing into crimes including money scams, human trafficking, kidnappings, torture, and murder. While some Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations or POGO have decreased over the months, dozens continue to operate on a smaller scale across the country and have evolved into scam centers. The embassy said Philippine and Chinese officials highlighted the importance or engagement through the consular dialogue "to achieve improvements in managing consular cases which facilitate people-to-people relationships." –NB, GMA Integrated News

Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines
Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines

GMA Network

time5 days ago

  • GMA Network

Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines

The 19% tariff rate was just below the 20% threatened by Trump earlier this month, but above the 17% rate set in April when Trump announced what he called reciprocal tariff rates for dozens of countries. (Photo by Reuters) WASHINGTON —US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a new 19% tariff rate for goods from the Philippines after what he called a "beautiful visit" by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the White House, saying U.S. goods would pay zero tariffs. Trump posted the news on his Truth Social media platform after meeting with Marcos in the Oval Office, where he had signaled a deal could be reached during the visit. "It was a beautiful visit, and we concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States, and ZERO Tariffs. The Philippines will pay a 19% Tariff," Trump said, calling Marcos a "very good and tough negotiator." Trump said the two Pacific allies would also work together militarily but gave no details. Marcos, the first Southeast Asian leader to meet Trump in his second term, told reporters at the start of the meeting that the United States was his country's "strongest, closest, most reliable ally." The 19% tariff rate was just below the 20% threatened by Trump earlier this month, but above the 17% rate set in April when Trump announced what he called reciprocal tariff rates for dozens of countries. It matches the 19% rate announced for Indonesia and bests Vietnam's slightly higher rate of 20%. The United States had a deficit of nearly $5 billion with the Philippines last year on bilateral goods trade of $23.5 billion. Trump said the two countries did "a lot of business" with each other, adding the "very big numbers" in the trade agreement would only grow larger. During the Oval Office event, Trump said he may visit China for a landmark trip "in the not-too-distant future" and noted the Philippines had distanced itself from Beijing after his election last November. "The country was maybe tilting toward China, but we un-tilted it very, very quickly," Trump said. The U.S. president has sought to lower tensions with Beijing in recent weeks after pausing a tit-for-tat tariff war that has upended global trade and supply chains. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday he would meet with Chinese officials in Sweden next week. Critics warn Trump's tariffs on nearly all foreign goods could boost prices for U.S. consumers, complicating his push for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. No comment was immediately available from Marcos, who did not speak to reporters before leaving the White House grounds. Philippine Assistant Foreign Secretary Raquel Solano said last week trade officials have been working with U.S. counterparts seeking to seal a "mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial" deal. Protesters gathered near the White House as Marcos arrived, demanding the Philippine leader address pleas of Filipino Americans and migrant workers who have made multiple requests for support amid U.S. immigration raids. Trump underscored the importance of the U.S.-Philippine military relationship. "They're a very important nation militarily, and we've had some great drills lately," he said. Marcos, who arrived in Washington on Sunday, met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday. During his trip, he will also meet U.S. business leaders investing in the Philippines. Philippine officials say Marcos planned to stress that Manila must become economically stronger if it is to serve as a truly robust U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific. He told reporters his country was modernizing its military in response to tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea.—Reuters

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store