Latest news with #StratbaseADRInstitute
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH allies pledge more defense, security support amid China aggression
The crew of the F/B John fishing vessel wave a Philippine flag as they acknowledge the presence of the Philippine Coast Guard during the Atin Ito second civilian mission to Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday, May 16, 2024. DANNY PATA Several countries, led by the United States and other key regional allies, on Friday pledged support for the Philippines' external defense as they shared concerns over China's increasingly aggressive behavior in the South China Sea. On the eve of the ninth anniversary of the arbitral tribunal's landmark decision that invalidated China's massive claim in the disputed waters, the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, India, New Zealand, Germany, France, Vietnam and the European Union declared its commitment to ensure a "rules-based and "free and open" Indo-Pacific. They also announced additional funding and agreements that will help modernize the Philippine military and coast guard, and boost the country's capacity to guard its waters in the West Philippine Sea, which is being claimed by China as its own. "A growing coalition of partners, such as the claimant states, as well as countries around the world… all share a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Together, we champion respect for the international law of the sea, including freedom of navigation and the peaceful resolution of disputes," said US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, one of envoys who spoke at a forum hosted by Stratbase ADR Institute to mark the anniversary of the ruling. Carlson highlighted the importance of joint defense exercises with the Philippines and multilateral maritime cooperative activities, along with a pledge to bolster investments in Philippine infrastructure and military modernization. "We are investing in tools that empower the Philippines to protect its waters and secure its future. This strategic deterrence is rooted in unity not just between our two nations, but with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Together, we send a clear message but coercive actions have no place in international law," she said. Carlson also renewed a US government warning that Washington will defend Manila from any armed attack under a 73-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty. "Our commitment to the Philippines is unwavering rooted in a 1951 mutual defense treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine forces, vessels or aircraft, including those of the coast guard, anywhere in the South China Sea," Carlson said. Foreign funding Australian Ambassador HK Yu, at the same forum, announced a A$3-million (P110 million) funding over the next two years for the Philippine Coast Guard, providing them with drones, training and other equipment. The drones are on top of the 20 that Australia gifted to the PCG last April. "This capability uplift is another example of Australia's ongoing commitment to provide tangible assistance to the Philippines to boost its maritime domain awareness," Yu said. She called out China for its "destabilizing conduct" in the South China Sea as well as its "excessive maritime claims." As hostilities between Philippine and Chinese forces flared in recent years in the South China Sea, Manila has adopted a strategy of publicly releasing videos and photos of Chinese harassment in the waters. The transparency initiative by the Philippines has gained international attention, prompting many countries to denounce Beijing's assertive actions. 'Worrisome' Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said she finds "worrisome" that China continues to reject "the binding" arbitral award and "persists with illegal, coercive, and aggressive actions under cover of a revisionist, self-serving interpretation and application of international law, particularly UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)." The Chinese Embassy in Manila responded by posting its foreign ministry statement dated July 12, 2016–the day the Netherlands-based court handed down its ruling–accusing the Philippine government of reneging on a "bilateral agreement" to resolve disputes bilaterally. "China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea shall under no circumstances be affected by the Arbitral Tribunal awards," it said, adding it "opposes and will never accept" the ruling. The Philippines under President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has sought to expand its alliances and upgrade its defense capabilities in the face of Chinese aggression in the waters. The years-long disputes also involve Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. "Canada remains deeply concerned by China's continued disregard for the ruling," Canada's ambassador David Hartman said. To preserve the legacy of the tribunal decision, he said the international community "must look beyond commemoration and instead, commit ourselves to action." VFA with Canada Hartman said Canada was looking forward to the signing of a visiting forces agreement with the Philippine so both countries can unlock the potential of "closer cooperation, operational interoperability, and readiness." "It provides the foundation for training, logistics, intelligence sharing, and more frequent, flexible military engagement," he said. Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, in his speech, expressed Japan's opposition to "unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion" in the South China Sea. Endo said he anticipates a more robust and dynamic security cooperation with Manila once the status of forces agreement between the Japan and the Philippines comes into force. "Japan will continue working in coordination with Association of South East Asian Nations and other countries concerned to maintain and strengthen the maritime order based on the rule of law and to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said. Circle of friends UK Ambassador Laure Beaufils said Britain will uphold the rules-based international system by promoting its strength abroad. As a "key partner for the UK in the Indo-Pacific," Beaufils said the Philippines could expect more bilateral engagement across the air, land and maritime domains, with periodic visits by Royal Navy ships, visits and engagements by defense leaders and specialist training teams. "I'm pleased that the Philippines' circle of friends is growing," she said. "These are key to supporting peace and stability throughout the region." "Collectively, we are helping to challenge excessive Chinese maritime claims and dangerous activity that raise the risk of escalation," Beaufils said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
73% of Pinoys want to assert PH rights in WPS in June survey —Pulse Asia
The crew of the F/B John fishing vessel wave a Philippine flag as they acknowledge the presence of the Philippine Coast Guard during the Atin Ito second civilian mission to Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea in 2024. DANNY PATA Majority of Filipinos at 73% want the government to continue asserting the Philippines' rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to the results of the June survey of Pulse Asia. Stratbase ADR Institute president Professor Victor Andres 'Dindo' Manhit presented the results of the survey during a forum in light of the anniversary of the Philippines' 2016 arbitral win against China over the dispute in the South China Sea. Based on the results, the National Capital Region (NCR) has the most respondents who agreed that the current administration must continue its efforts in the WPS at 83%. This is followed by Balance Luzon with 82%, the Visayas with 60%, and Mindanao with 59%. Only 7% disagreed with the Philippine government's assertion in the WPS. Meanwhile, 18% said that they cannot say if they agree or disagree. The respondents were also asked about measures the Philippines should continue to implement to effectively defend the country's rights in its seas. Around 65% said the Philippine government should support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard to acquire assets in line with ensuring territorial integrity. Fifty-one percent said the administration should reinforce alliances and elevate partnerships by conducting joint patrols and military exercises with allies, friends, and partners. For 33% of the respondents, the Philippine government should establish defense and security agreements with like-minded partners. Around 14% said the administration should hold leaders accountable and ensure commitment to defend the Philippines' national interest in its maritime territories. Meanwhile, 12% said the Philippine government should file diplomatic protests and continue to engage China diplomatically. Commissioned by Stratbase, the survey was conducted from June 26 to 30 using 1,200 Asia confirmed to GMA News Online that it conducted the survey.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH renews call for China to comply with arbitral ruling on WPS
An imposing image of a China Coast Guard vessel patrolling the waters as the sun sets in the West Philippine Sea. JUN VENERACION/ GMA Integrated News The Philippines on Friday renewed its call to China to comply with the nine-year-old arbitration ruling that nullified Beijing's sweeping claims in the South China Sea, saying all countries, 'regardless of size, might, or capacity must meet their duties and obligations' under international law. Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro made the call a day before the anniversary of the July 12, 2016 ruling by The Hague tribunal that she said 'sets reason and right in the South China Sea.' 'Nine years hence, its legitimacy continues to be tested, challenged, and subverted, putting not only the Philippines' maritime interests in peril, but also the regional stability and prosperity we are all working so hard to achieve,' Lazaro said in a recorded video message at a forum commemorating the tribunal ruling hosted by Stratbase ADR Institute. Lazaro, who assumed the role of Manila's top diplomat on July 1, called the ruling 'a cornerstone of Philippine maritime policy' along with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and vowed that it 'will remain so under my watch.' Diplomacy Lazaro also outlined 'four dynamics' that will guide Philippine maritime statecraft, which includes building alliances with like-minded states and keeping lines of communication 'open bilaterally, both with China and with other ASEAN claimant states.' 'Galvanizing the rules-based order and promoting the arbitral award rests equally, if not primarily, with diplomacy,' Lazaro said. 'Deterrence is not only a military concept, but one that indispensably involves guarantees secured by diplomacy to assure peace and stability.' The tribunal award is a 'shining affirmations of the compulsory dispute resolution mechanisms' of UNCLOS, Lazaro said, noting that it's an 'unassailable part of the corpus of international law.' 'It is worrisome that China has continued to reject the binding Arbitral Award and persists with illegal, coercive, and aggressive actions under cover of a revisionist, self-serving interpretation and application of international law, particularly UNCLOS,' Lazaro said. The UNCLOS is regarded as the global constitution for the seas, signed by 162 nations, including the Philippines and China. China did not participate in The Hague proceedings initiated by the Philippines and ignored the decision. It has defied the ruling with aggressive actions, using high-pressure water cannons and dangerous maritime maneuvers on Philippine ships or vessels China has accused of entering its territorial waters illegally. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei - three of the 10 members of the ASEAN - and Taiwan have also laid claims to the South China Sea, where rich oil and mineral deposits have been discovered. China Coast Guard vessel 21559 fires water cannon and sideswipes a BFAR vessel in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Screengrab from Philippine Coast Guard video Dialogue Lazaro said it is a 'strategic consideration' that the Philippines continue the dialogue and consultation with China despite tensions that severely impact the bilateral relationship. Using 'effective diplomacy' on China, she said, has resulted in 'several pragmatic solutions and positive outcomes,' such as the provisional agreement for the Philippine delivery of supplies to Filipino forces at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) to prevent a repeat of past confrontations. Since the forging of the agreement, succeeding resupply missions to the shoal have been peaceful with Chinese ships keeping watch at a distance. 'Our two countries have long-standing history and deeply ingrained cultural ties. Thus, our diplomacy will continue to firmly protest and disagree where it is right, but also collaborate where it is practical and beneficial for the country,' she said. Manila, she added, will use current mechanisms with China 'to maintain dialogue and diplomacy at the appropriate official levels' that is 'in good faith, has a proper and conducive environment, and can enable the constructive management of differences without prejudicing our national position.' The Philippines' dynamic engagement with other claimants, on the other hand, propelled talks forward for an 'effective and substantive' regional code of conduct in the South China Sea, which the Philippines aspires to complete when it assumes the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN next year, she said. 'The challenges are clear and the uncertainties remain in the maritime domain, but the Philippines will not waver in firmly rejecting attempts to undermine the award and international law,' added Lazaro. 'Being on the right side of the rules-based order and international law makes it easier for others to join us in taking a stand and forming a tight bond that can withstand illegal and unfounded claims and aggressive actions at sea.' —VAL, GMA Integrated News
