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GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
France expresses support for PH during Bastille Day
France reiterated their support for the Philippines' claim over the West Philippine Sea during the celebration of Bastille Day and launch of the Blue Nations Initiative. According to the "Unang Balita" report of JP Soriano on Tuesday, France expressed their support for the Philippines and said that they will continue to support and protect the country's rights to land and environment. French ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Marie Fontanel shared that the Blue Nations Initiative between France and the Philippines would help strengthen collaborations between the two countries on environmental protection, climate action, blue economy, and maritime security. 'Allow me to reiterate Frances' deep commitment to the Philippines. Our countries are like two blue sisters nations, along with our friendship and cooperation,' said Fontanel. The statements followed the statement of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea that Chinese military ships have caused environmental damage over coral reefs at Pag-asa Reef 1. Fontanel added that the celebration on Bastille Day or the French National Day also recognizes the Philippines' rights to the West Philippine Sea and respect to international law. 'We are deeply committed to multilateralism, respect for international law, particularly the UN Charter, and the defense of the rule of law everywhere without double standards,' she noted. 'We appreciate France's consistent support for the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea which forms an important pillar of the rules-based international order that governs the peace nations not just on land but also at sea,' responded Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Hellen dela Vega. France is one of the countries that have allied with the Philippines in support of the 2016 arbitral ruling regarding the West Philippine Sea. Recently, France and the Philippines have partnered up to create a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to conduct more Joint Military Exercises. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Drones found by Filipino fishermen capable of ‘underwater warfare'
Five underwater drones found by Filipino fishermen were capable of aiding 'underwater warfare' and at least one sent signals to China, the Philippine Navy has said. An investigation into the drones discovered in 2022 and 2024 found links tracing back to China, the Philippines ' military officials said in a briefing on Tuesday, without explicitly identifying the origin of the drones. Tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, particularly over disputed areas like the Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal, have been ongoing for years but have escalated significantly since 2022. Confrontations involving the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels interfering with Philippine resupply missions and fishing activities have escalated into aggressive action, involving collisions, firing of water cannons and clashes. It comes as Manila prepares for large-scale military exercises with the US, which is treaty-bound to ensure security of the country. The drones were found by fishermen in the area 'important strategically in the defence and security not only of the country but for international maritime navigation,' Philippine military officials told reporters at a briefing on Tuesday. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the drones collected data that served "beyond navigation" purpose and the information could be used to aid "underwater warfare" by detecting threats and testing weaponry under the water. Admiral Trinidad said some of the drones had Chinese markings on them and at least one of them sent signals to China. He said there was "a 55 to 80 percent likelihood" that at least two of these drones were sent by China. "Based on the technical study of the forensics of the SIM card (found on one of the five drones), the last contact of the card was in mainland China," he added. Three drones were found off the northern coast of Luzon, the Philippines' main island with two of them near the Balintang Channel, just south of Taiwan. Two more were recovered from key strategic areas, including one near Masbate Island in the central Philippines and another near Mindanao in the south, admiral Trinidad said. He said the findings are 'important strategically in the defence and security not only of the country but for international maritime navigation.' 'Drones like this could either be launched by air, by a mothership or by a submarine,' Admiral Trinidad said. 'But most likely, these were dropped by a mothership.' Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, said the forensic investigation yields conclusive evidence to suggest that China sent drones to map the underwater terrain of Philippines. "The forensic examination on the submersible drones have allowed us to conclusively determine that they are of Chinese origin. They are also in all likelihood deployed by China to map the Philippines underwater terrain," Mr Malaya said. He said this is 'alarming because of its implications to national security'. 'This only shows that we need to be more vigilant and we need to undertake more maritime patrols in more parts of the country to stop these types of activities," he added. The Philippines is preparing for Balikatan or "shoulder to shoulder" exercises with the US military from 21 April to 9 May. The exercise involving approximately 10,000 soldiers will include a test of "integrated air missile defence" for the first time.
