The Philippines was the one that initiated the termination of oil exploration talks with China, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. revealed Thursday.In his speech during the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Foundation Day, Locsin said both sides tried to negotiate for… Read More
The ongoing maritime row between the Philippines and China will not hinder plan to possibly hold a joint exploration for oil and gas resources in the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS), Malacañang said on Tuesday.“Kaya nga po mayroong usapin na habang hindi pa nareresolba… Read More Also Read: CHINA EXPLORING OIL … Continue reading Sea row won’t hinder possible PH-China joint oil deal→
Chinese scientists drill in contested area amid rising tensions Chinese scientists have carried out deep-sea drilling in the disputed South China Sea to obtain sediment core, according to state media, a move that is expected to fuel tensions in the region. They retrieved the sediment core – measuring 231 metres (758 feet) – using a Chinese-made drilling … Continue reading CHINA EXPLORING OIL IN DISPUTED SOUTH CHINA SEA→
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte said his administration will remain neutral amid the escalating conflict between China and Taiwan.Duterte said he was relieved that there is no tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as it allowed the military and police to provide necessary assistance to… Read More
PH protests ‘provocative acts’ of Chinese gov’t ships in WPS
Some Chinese government vessels have committed “provocative acts”, including illegally sending radio challenges against Philippine authorities patrolling the country’s waters, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Wednesday night.
In a statement posted on its official Twitter account, the DFA said it protested the “unlawful issuance of over 200 radio challenges, sounding of sirens, and blowing of horns by Chinese government vessels” against Filipino authorities “conducting legitimate, customary, and routine patrols over and around the Philippines’ territory and maritime zones.”
“These provocative acts threaten the peace, good order, and security of the South China Sea and run contrary to China’s obligations under international law,” it said.Read More
Malacañang on Saturday took a swipe at President Rodrigo Duterte’s “unthinking” critics, who peddled “bogus” news about the supposed order of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn for the Chief Executive to “behave” while attending ASEAN summits in Thailand.
An edited October 31 edition of Thailand-based newspaper Bangkok Post that carried the headline, “King orders PH Duterte, behave during Asean summit”, went viral on social media.
“The Palace condemns the latest black propaganda waged by the President’s fierce and unthinking critics and detractors by peddling a bogus news story allegedly published by the Bangkok Post with the header, ‘King orders PH Duterte, behave during ASEAN summit,’” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a stateme
“Evidently, the release is deliberate and malicious as it went viral on the day President Duterte arrived in Thailand to participate in the 35th Asean Summit and Related Summits,” he added.
Duterte flew to Thailand on Friday night for the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Bangkok on November 2 to 4.
Panelo lamented that the opposition has once again resorted to “black propaganda” to humiliate the President.
“The political enemies of the President appear to have thrown decency to the garbage bin even as they parade themselves as a rambunctious minority in our country,” he said.
“The Office of the President expresses its indignation over this cheap political stunt aimed at embarrassing PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte), thereby humiliating our country which he represents, before the global audience,” he added.
In a media interview in Thailand on Friday, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar presented an original copy of the October 31 edition of the Bangkok Post.
He said the “fake” headline against the President in the edited newspaper replaced the original title, “Suvit calls for Thailand to embrace 5G fast, or lag behind rival”.
To avoid a repeat of the spread of false news, Andanar sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation to trace the person behind the edited headline of the Bangkok Post.
Panelo cautioned Duterte’s critics that Thailand has one of the “strictest” lèse-majesté laws in the world, which punishes anyone who taints the reputation of the King.
“Harming Philippine -Thai bilateral relations by defaming the monarchy through lies and falsehoods is punishable by a prison term, and those behind this recent insolence must face such a grim but deserving consequence,” he added.
Under Article 112 of Thailand’s Lèse-majesté law or criminal code states, a person who “defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent or the regent” would be punished with a jail term up to 15 years.
Instead of spreading hate, the opposition should observe a “moratorium” on embarrassing, not only the President but also the entire country, Panelo said.
“These raucous anti-Duterte forces should be educated that when the Head of State and the Chief Executive of the Government of the Philippines is on an official trip overseas, we set aside politics — even the bitterest one amongst foes,” he said.
“If this group cannot rally behind a nation’s mandated leader, as he represents not only his office but the image of the nation as a whole, it should at least observe (a) moratorium on their campaign on hate,” he added. (PNA)
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