Latest news with #NTF-WPS
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Tarriela: Publicizing WPS incidents to ensure Marcos' successor will still defend PH territory
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela on Saturday said the NTF-WPS' move to publicize China's aggression in the disputed waters was aimed at ensuring that the next President will continue to defend the country's maritime sovereignty. 'We need to reach out to increase awareness more para siguraduhin natin ang Pangulo ng 2028 is not somebody who is going to set aside our fight in the WPS at sasabihin ulit walang kinalaman sa sikmura ng Pilipino ito, magkakagiyera at mangangakong magje-jetski,' Tarriela said. 'We have to make sure na ang mananalong President by 2028 is somebody who is going to pick up what PBBM has started. Itong pangulo na ito ang patuloy na titindig at itutuloy ang laban natin pagdating sa issue ng WPS,' the PCG spokesperson said. To recall, former President Rodrigo Duterte, when he was campaigning in 2016, remarked about riding a jetski to the WPS and telling the Chinese that it belonged to the Philippines. Duterte, however, later backracked and said that the remark 'was a campaign joke.' Tarriela said that the NTF-WPS' transparency efforts, which started in 2023, were meant to increase awareness of Filipinos on the issue of the WPS, 'and I think we have been receiving positive impacts because of that.' 'We can see from 89% awareness of the Filipino people pagdating sa issue ng WPS… the second objective is for the international community to understand na meron isang bansa na katulad ng Tsina that doesn't care about the international law, that doesn't adhere to the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) na pinirmahan din naman nila,' he said. Beyond politics The PCG spokesperson further said that defending the country's maritime sovereignty in the WPS should be a shared responsibility among Filipinos. 'Para sa akin ang usapin ang usapin ng WPS goes beyond politics, goes beyond social needs. Ang issue natin dito that is being challenged here is our identity as Filipinos. Ilang beses ko na sinabi sa ating Kalayaan ang independence natin utang natin nitong lahat sa ating mga bayaning Pilipino na nagbuwis ng buhay dito,' Tarriela said. 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. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Saudi Gazette
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Beijing seizes tiny sandbank in South China Sea
SINGAPORE — The Chinese coastguard has seized a tiny sandbank in the South China Sea, state media has reported, in an escalation of a regional dispute with the Philippines. State broadcaster CCTV released images of four officers, wearing all black and holding the Chinese flag, standing on the disputed reef of Sandy Cay in the Spratly Islands. CCTV said China had "implemented maritime control and exercised sovereign jurisdiction" on the reef earlier in April. Both China and the Philippines have staked claims on various islands. The Philippines said later on Sunday that it had landed on three sandbanks, releasing an image of officers holding up their national flag in a pose that mimicked the Chinese photo. It is unclear whether one of the sandbanks the Philippines security forces landed on was also Sandy Cay. In a statement, the National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said it witnessed "the illegal presence" of a Chinese Coastguard vessel 1,000 yards (914 metres) from one of the sandbanks, as well as seven Chinese militia vessels. "This operation reflects the unwavering dedication and commitment of the Philippine Government to uphold the country's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea," the statement said. The dispute between the two nations has been escalating, with frequent confrontations including vessels colliding and scuffles. Sandy Cay is near a Philippine military outpost on Thitu Island, also known as Pag-asa, which Manila reportedly uses to track Chinese movements in the area. There is no sign that China is permanently occupying the 200 sq metre island and the coastguard is reported to have left. The White House said reports of China seizing the reef were "deeply concerning if true". In comments reported by the Financial Times, James Hewitt, US National Security Council spokesperson, warned that "actions like these threaten regional stability and violate international law", adding that the White House was "consulting closely with our own partners". The Chinese move comes as US and Philippine forces are carrying out their annual war scenario drills — called the Balikatan exercises. China has criticized the drills as provocative. As many as 17,000 personnel are taking part in the coming days. Missiles from the US Marine Air Defense Integrated System were fired off the coast of the northern Philippines on Sunday, the system's second live fire test and its first deployment to the Philippines. The drills are also set to feature the US anti-ship missile system NMESIS. The Philippines military says the drills are a rehearsal for national defense but insists they are not directed at any particular country. "This type of training is absolutely invaluable to us," said Third Marine Littoral Regiment Officer John Lehane. The exercise has helped allay fears among some US allies that Donald Trump may upend the years-long military support it has provided in the region. On a visit to Manila last month, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington was "doubling down" on its alliance with the country and was determined to "re-establish deterrence" against China. There have been wrangles over territory in the South China Sea for centuries, but tension has grown in recent years. China claims by far the largest portion of territory in an area demarcated by its so-called "nine-dash line". The line comprises nine dashes which extends hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan. Beijing has backed its expansive claims with island-building and naval patrols. Competing claimants such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have staked claims on islands and various zones in the sea. — BBC
