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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Footage Shows Chinese Ships Near US Ally's Disputed Island Base
The Philippines has released footage showing Chinese maritime forces operating near its largest outpost in the South China Sea's disputed Spratly Islands archipelago. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Philippine military for comment via written requests. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, citing "historical rights," which puts it at odds with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Indonesia. In 2016, an arbitral tribunal in the Hague dismissed the sweeping claims featured in China's "nine-dashed line" map as incompatible with maritime law. Beijing rejected the decision. The Philippines has mounted a stiff challenge to expanding Chinese activities in its exclusive economic zone. The resulting standoffs between Chinese and Philippine government vessels have raised concerns that Manila's Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington could pull the U.S. into a conflict with its East Asian rival. On Wednesday, the People's Television Network, a Philippine state-owned broadcaster, released footage showing Chinese vessels operating off the coast of Thitu Island, well within the 12-nautical-mile (13.8-mile) territorial sea claimed by Manila. The ships included a Chinese coast guard cutter, a People's Liberation Army Navy warship and what appeared to be two vessels from China's so-called Maritime Militia. The agency did not specify when the footage was taken. Administered by the Philippines since 1971, Thitu is the largest of the Spratly Islands under the country's control and hosts a small permanent population. The island is also home to a small coast guard station, military garrison and airstrip, modest yet vital assets for maintaining Manila's force posture in the area. This is especially necessary given the proximity of China's more heavily militarized artificial islands. The waters around Thitu, and a nearby cluster of sandbars known as Sandy Cay, have at times become a flashpoint in the South China Sea dispute. In late May, Manila released video showing a Chinese coast guard ship using a water cannon against a Philippine fisheries bureau vessel. The Chinese ship also "sideswiped" the smaller craft and damaged its bow, according to Philippine authorities. Major General Meng Xiangqing, a professor at China's National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army, said on Sunday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore: "It must be pointed out that the Philippines has always been the provocateur and China's actions have been legitimate responses. Here, I solemnly warn the Philippine side: The South China Sea is not a place where the Philippines can act recklessly." Gilberto Teodoro, the Philippine secretary of defense, told Newsweek on Sunday: "Unfortunately, they [China] are the cause of instability here. Nobody denies it. Nobody supports their nine-dash line here, and I made that clear in my condemnation-and a lot of people condemn their behavior because no right-minded person would agree with what they're doing here in the South China Sea." The Philippines is expanding infrastructure on Thitu Island, including a recently completed extension of its airstrip to 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles)-long enough to accommodate light transport aircraft and some fighter jets. A sheltered port is also in the works, which would enhance the operational range of Philippine maritime forces in surrounding waters. Related Articles Video Shows US Ally Confronting China in Contested WatersUS Ally Sends Strong Warning to ChinaMap Tracks Chinese Aircraft Carrier Near US AlliesChina Warns US Ally With Show of Force 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Arab News
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Philippines' first hijabi anchor redefines Muslim representation, one newscast at a time
MANILA: When Princess Habibah Sarip-Paudac first appeared on national television in 2012, she made history — not only as the Philippines' first presenter to wear a hijab, but also as the first person from the country's Muslim south to deliver the national news. A native of Marawi, one of the main cities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, home to much of the Philippines' minority Muslim community, Paudac traveled to Manila to audition at the People's Television Network. She won the contest and on Aug. 8, 2012, the flagship state broadcaster took her on air. Everyone back home was glued to their TVs. 'It was the first time. Everyone was so happy. Everyone was like cheering for me that day. And I feel that it was a big responsibility,' Paudac told Arab News. 'A lot of people were so surprised that I was able to pave the way for Muslim women in the national mainstream media. So, for its impact, for the people, of course, it was so big.' Paudac, a college teacher and community worker, had no training in broadcast news but from the very first day at PTV was thrown in at the deep end. 'I really made (sure to) see to it that I would be learning day by day through this job,' she said. 'I think the love for journalism started from there.' Paudac quickly picked up the rules of journalism and reporting, studied the current news, and learnt how to read and deliver it perfectly. But as time went by, she realized there was also another task in front of her — one that was not related to her job. As the only Muslim in the newsroom, her colleagues would often ask her about her religion and background, and to explain to them the things they did not know about Islam and about her homeland in Mindanao. 'For them, it came s a surprise that I was able to speak Tagalog, that I was able to speak English ... And I was like, no, people in Bangsamoro are well educated, and we have good education there, and I'm just one of the many successful women out there. We have lawyers, we have doctors, we have teachers. Now we have a news anchor,' she said. 'It became like an eye-opener for me. I was like: 'I think this is my purpose. This is what Allah wants me to do.' As her career advanced, besides being a news anchor, Paudac also became a host at Salaam TV and Salaam Radio — PTV's channels focused on Filipino Muslims. She also grew increasingly active in her role of challenging stereotypes about Muslim women and has managed to make them be seen and recognized as professionals. Now she hopes that more of them will feel encouraged and empowered to pursue high-profile careers. 'I hope that they can get something from me, from my representation. And this job is very noble. You can learn a lot from it. You can give more into your community through this, you are a representative not just of your community, but your faith as well. And you can educate a lot of people,' Paudac said. Her message to fellow Muslim women is clear — that they can excel and redefine spaces while staying true to their faith and identity. And for that, she has some advice: 'Please, take care of your hijabs. Take care of yourselves. Make yourself a resourceful person. Learn a lot ... most importantly, never ever leave behind your faith, your identity.'
