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GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
No talk on WPS between Marcos, Chinese Premier Li Qiang at ASEAN
Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 27, 2025. Mark Balmores/ Canon/ PPA Pool KUALA LUMPUR — President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said Tuesday that he was unable to discuss with Chinese Premier Li Qiang the situation in the West Philippine Sea. At a press briefing before returning to Manila from the ASEAN summit, which Li also attended, Marcos was asked if he was able to talk with the Chinese official about the resource-rich region. According to Marcos, they only talked about the United States' unilateral tariffs. 'No. I only spoke it to him... He was at—it wasn't in a meeting. He was sitting next to me at lunch. I was sitting next to the Chinese Premier and the Foreign Minister of UAE,' Marcos said. 'Walang ano, tinanong ko lang sa kanya, sabi ko [I only asked him]...What is the Chinese perspective of this new unilateral tariff schedule?' he added. China currently claims ownership over almost all of the South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. While a ruling Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague sided with the Philippines and stated China's claims over the South China Sea had 'no legal basis' in 2016, China has not recognized said decision and continues its aggression in the region. Still, Marcos mentioned that he has always pushed for the adoption of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea. 'I always push the Code of Conduct. Always. Always. It's critical to everything that's happening,' Marcos said. 'You know, if you have a Code of Conduct, essentially, freeze-frame muna. Okay, hanggang diyan na lang tayo. Huwag na nating palalain,' he added. (We'll stop here and not make it worse.) 'Tapos, ayan, mag-usap tayo [Then we will talk]. That will contain mechanisms also of adjudication or trying to—de-escalation processes. Kasama lahat 'yan [That's all part of it],' Marcos said. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Palace: Marcos optimistic on legally binding code of conduct in South China Sea
''President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is very optimistic that there will be a final, rather conclusion, on this legally binding Code of Conduct regarding the South China Sea. He is very optimistic that's why he bring this up to the plenary just this morning,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro told the Philippine media delegation. KUALA LUMPUR - President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is optimistic as regards the adoption of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea. ''President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is very optimistic that there will be a final, rather conclusion, on this legally binding Code of Conduct regarding the South China Sea. He is very optimistic that's why he bring this up to the plenary just this morning,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro told the Philippine media delegation. Still, this will depend on the talks among ASEAN member states, according to Castro. ''Depende 'yan sa bawat bansa, siyempre may mga involved na bansa tulad ng China, iba pang miyembro ng ASEAN so depende kung papaano ang takbo ng paguusap,'' she said. (This will depend on the talks of each involved country, including China and other ASEAN member states.) The proposed code aims to set rules to prevent the intensifying dispute in the South China Sea from spinning out of control and worsening into a major armed conflict that could involve the United States, an ally of the Philippines, and other Asian countries at odds with China. China currently claims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague sided with the Philippines and stated China's claims over the South China Sea had 'no legal basis.'' However, China has not recognized the ruling and continues its aggression in the region. During the ASEAN plenary session, Marcos emphasized the urgency to adopt the COC in order to prevent miscalculations at sea. He said this is to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability, and prevent miscalculations at sea. –NB, GMA Integrated News
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Southeast Asia taps Germany's defense industry
Southeast Asia taps Germany's defense industry (AP) Germany and the Philippines this month agreed to enhance defense ties and boost joint activities, including rearmament, as several Southeast Asian states increasingly look to Europe to diversify their security arrangements away from traditional partners like the US and Russia. The new deal will expand cooperation to include cybersecurity, armaments, logistics and peacekeeping duties. The "arrangement concerning defense cooperation" was signed in Berlin by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. The Philippines, a US treaty ally, has secured a slew of new defense deals over the past 12 months, including an agreement with New Zealand last month. It expects to sign a similar defense deal with Canada this year. In December, Manila signed a reciprocal access agreement with Japan. It will soon begin negotiations with France for a visiting forces agreement, which will allow French troops to be stationed at Philippine bases, similar to the agreement the Philippines has with the US. The Philippines and several other Southeast Asian states have accused Chinese vessels of taking "aggressive actions" towards them over disputed territory in the South China Sea. At the same time, there are growing doubts about the US security guarantees under the Trump administration. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that Beijing's claims had no legal basis after the Philippines initiated proceedings. China rejects that decision. In 2024, Germany deployed two warships to the Indo-Pacific region, demonstrating Berlin's commitment to freedom of navigation operations. In February, Germany and Turkey were accepted as observer countries in the ASEAN Defense Minister Meeting (ADMM), the Southeast Asian bloc's main defense forum. In addition to defense agreements, Southeast Asian states are also seeking to diversify the countries from which they purchase weapons, which has led to European countries scrambling for contracts. Last year, the Philippines approved a $35 billion program to upgrade its military forces, including plans to purchase submarines for the first time. So far, tenders have been submitted by South Korea's Hanwha Ocean, France's Naval Group, Spain's Navantia, and a joint venture between Italy's Fincantieri and Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Earlier this month, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, a leading German naval shipbuilder, signed a new contract with Singapore for the construction of two additional Type 218SG submarines. Southeast Asia shops for weapons In 2024, Germany supplied four EC-145 light helicopters and four 11001-15000 ship engines to Indonesia. The same year, it sold IRIS-T long-range air-to-air missiles to Thailand. According to the Federal Ministry of Economics, Germany approved arms sales to Singapore worth €1.2 billion last year. Other Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam and Indonesia, are also considering purchases of European weaponry, mostly from France. French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in Vietnam on May 25 for a tour of Southeast Asia, which will also include stops in Indonesia and Singapore, where he will deliver a keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security summit. Earlier this month, Indonesian troops arrived in Italy to train on two 6,000-ton advanced frigates, the first of which is scheduled to be delivered to the Southeast Asian state in June. "Multi-alignment is on the rise these days as it responds well to the fluid and volatile nature of current world politics," Alexander Vuving, professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, told DW. "For Southeast Asian countries facing the US-China rivalry, European powers like Germany, France and the UK provide a good alternative," he added. "If Europeans rise to the challenges facing their unique situation regarding their relations with Russia and the US, they can be a meaningful arms supplier for Southeast Asia." Ian Storey, a senior fellow at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, told DW that European countries are "well-placed" to increase their defense sales to the region, especially as Russia's arms exports have collapsed. Russian arms exports have dropped by 64% since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Vietnam, which accounted for nearly all of Southeast Asia's imports of Russian arms, has actively sought alternative suppliers since 2022 due to the impact of Western sanctions on Russian exports. Germany's capacity problem However, Storey said, European armaments companies will face "stiff competition" from traditional suppliers such as the US and new players like South Korea and Turkey. "South Korea, in particular, is on a roll in Southeast Asia," he added. In 2023, South Korea became one of the world's Top 10 arms exporters, and its government aims to make it the fourth-largest arms exporter by 2027. A bigger problem is Germany's supply, not global demand, Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington, told DW. Given the Russian threat to the continent, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the Trump administration's lackluster commitment to European security, "I simply cannot imagine Germany's defense industrial base becoming any more than a niche player in the Southeast Asian arms market," Abuza said. H&K machine guns and other small arms may be an exception, he added, but Germany's defense industries "have an enormous void to fill in Europe. I do not see any excess capacity," he added.
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Romualdez to foreign lawmakers: PH remains steadfast in protecting sovereignty in WPS
Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte touted the Philippines' readiness to defend its sovereign rights within its waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) before lawmakers from different countries of the world. Romualdez made the speech during the 29th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF) held in Spain on Thursday afternoon (Manila time). Romualdez cited the Philippines' commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award issued by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration which upheld the Philippines' 200 nautical miles off territorial sea EEZ in West Philippine Sea and rejected China's sweeping nine-dash claims in the area. 'Let me be clear: the Philippines remains steadfast in protecting our rights and entitlements in the West Philippine Sea by upholding international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. We categorically reject attempts to undermine our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction through coercion or disinformation,' Romualdez said. 'Our approach is anchored on legal clarity, diplomatic dialogue, leveraging partnerships, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. We will not allow foreign narratives to distort the truth on the ground. Nor will we permit coercive actions to dictate our national destiny,' he added. Rule of Law The Speaker's remarks came in the aftermath of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) report on Thursday that a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fired water cannon and sideswiped a Philippine BFAR vessel in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the West Philippine Sea where the BFAR vessel is conducting a marine scientific research initiative. The said area is within the Philippines' EEZ. Prior to the BFAR incident, Chinese Coast Guard vessels had also used water cannons against Philippine supply boats in several incidents and conducted dangerous blocking maneuvers near Ayungin Shoal, as well as swarmed Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, which were all condemned by Philippine officials and international observers. 'These are not isolated incidents. This is not just a regional issue. It is a global test of whether the rule of law will prevail over brute force,' Romualdez added. The Speaker then called on the Philippines' fellow democratic nations to remain vigilant and united against gray-zone tactics, cyber-enabled propaganda, and the creeping erosion of maritime law and order. 'We serve not only as lawmakers but as standard-bearers of the democratic rule of law. In an age when misinformation, cyberattacks, and technological disruption threaten the very fabric of our societies, the need for vigilance and unity among democracies has never been greater,' Romualdez said. 'Forums like the PI-SF allow us to expand these initiatives globally. Here, we are not merely exchanging intelligence — we are building solidarity, mutual understanding, and the legislative muscle to defend freedom and prosperity in this rapidly shifting world,' Romualdez added. Hosted by the Spanish Senate and chaired by former US lawmaker Robert Pittenger of North Carolina, the 29th PI-SF convened over 40 nations to align strategies on countering global threats. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Epoch Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Small Country, Big Moves: The Philippines' Diplomatic Power Play to Counter China
Commentary The Chinese regime's growing aggression in the Indo–Pacific has led the Philippines to forge stronger global partnerships rooted in shared interests and values. The Philippines and Germany on May 14 signed a defense cooperation The agreement had been reached as early as August 2024, when Germany's defense minister visited Manila and stated that the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague 'remains valid, without any exceptions.' In September 2024, two German warships made a rare transit through the international waters of the Taiwan Strait—the first time for German military vessels to do so in 22 years—signaling Berlin's commitment to freedom of navigation. The latest developments mark another milestone in Manila's growing military diplomacy. Since taking office in 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has actively expanded the country's international partnerships, producing impressive results. Reinvigorating the US–Philippines Alliance In May 2023, Marcos paid an Related Stories 4/28/2025 4/10/2025 Since then, joint military exercises have expanded, and South China Sea patrols have resumed, reversing former President Rodrigo Duterte's The reaffirmed Manila–Washington alliance has laid a strong foundation for Philippine foreign and strategic policy. The United States, in turn, sees the Philippines as a key pillar in its Indo–Pacific strategy. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth chose the Philippines as his first stop on his inaugural Asia tour in March. He reaffirmed Washington's ' Boosting Defense Ties With Japan Philippine–Japanese military cooperation is also advancing rapidly. On Feb. 24, the defense ministers of both countries announced plans to The two countries signed a During a high-profile visit to Manila in April, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Marcos agreed to expand security cooperation and initiate talks on a future intelligence-sharing pact and an acquisition and cross-services agreement that will allow Japanese and Philippine forces to share fuel, food, and logistical support services. Both sides also expressed strong opposition to any unilateral changes to the status quo in the East and South China Seas. Following his meeting with Marcos on April 30, Ishiba Fostering Trilateral Ties The Philippines is also developing a trilateral framework with the United States and Japan. In December 2022, the The trilateral cooperation focuses on three key areas: Integrated response across the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and South China Sea. Expanded defense collaboration, including more joint naval exercises, forward basing, and logistics support. Cybersecurity coordination: highlighted by the first joint Beyond security, the trio is advancing cooperation in infrastructure, semiconductors, clean energy, and supply chain resilience. In January, just before the end of his term, then-President Joe Biden held an online summit with his Japanese and Philippine counterparts to deepen trilateral economic and technological collaboration. The leaders condemned the Chinese regime's ' Expanding Western Engagement The Philippines is also expanding ties with other Western nations. Australia and New Zealand, both of which are increasingly concerned about Beijing's military pressure, have stepped up engagement with Manila. In September 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Last month, defense leaders of New Zealand and the Philippines In March, the Philippines signed an agreement with the United Kingdom to enhance defense, regional security, and climate collaboration. Canada is nearing final negotiations on a defense pact with the Philippines, enabling broader participation in joint exercises. In August 2024, Canada joined the United States, Australia, and the Philippines in In December 2023, France and the Philippines signed a letter of intent on defense cooperation. Negotiations are underway for troop visits and joint training. In February this year, Conclusion The Philippines, though a small country, is playing an outsized diplomatic role. Manila is currently campaigning for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. From my point of view, three key factors explain its growing influence. First, the Marcos administration has taken a firm stance against the CCP and is no longer fearful or naive, but instead rational and assertive. Second, Manila has aligned itself with the global shift under a U.S.-led strategy to counter Beijing. Lastly, the CCP's aggressive 'wolf warrior' diplomacy has backfired, driving countries like the Philippines to boost global partnerships based on common interests. In a sense, Beijing's coercive policies are fueling Manila's rising diplomatic momentum. Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
