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Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines does not need China’s permission to conduct resupply missions or sail to Ayungin Shoal, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday, June 23, rejecting Beijing’s interpretation of the provisional arrangement governing resupply operations to the BRP Sierra Madre. In a statement, the DFA said Ayungin Shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling. “As a low-tide elevation, Ayungin generates no maritime entitlement of its own and cannot be claimed by any other state,” the DFA said.  “The Philippines alone holds the sovereign right to authorize any structure there, and Philippine vessels do not require permission to sail to Ayungin,” it said. The statement came two days after Chinese Ambassador Ambassador Jing Quan, said Beijing expects both sides to implement the provisional…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  US President Donald Trump has assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that he will raise the country’s concerns over the South China Sea during his next meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Malacañang said Thursday, July 23.  According to the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos and Trump discussed global economic and security issues in a phone call that followed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s courtesy call on the Philippine leader in Malacañang on Wednesday. It said Marcos updated Trump on recent incidents in the South China Sea, including the latest confrontation involving Philippine and Chinese vessels. The Palace said the US leader assured the president that he would bring up the Philippines’ concerns when he next meets Xi. It did not state when the meeting would take place. The phone call came a day after Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to its alliance with Manila during a meeting…

Metro Manila, Philippines – ASEAN and China have demonstrated the political will to conclude a long-awaited Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea by the end of the year, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said Thursday. Speaking after the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings in Manila on Thursday, July 23, Lazaro said negotiations have intensified this year, with ASEAN and Chinese negotiators meeting every month since January. “Since the start of January, there have been monthly meetings of the negotiators, and this is now part of the political will that we intend to finish this code of conduct by the end of the year,” Lazaro said. She said the South China Sea remained a major focus of discussions during the meetings, with all 10 ASEAN member states and China working toward completing the long-delayed agreement. “On the South China Sea, what was given attention…

Metro Manila, Philippines – A China coast guard (CCG) ship veered dangerously close to a Filipino fishing support vessel and blasted a water cannon for over two minutes during a fuel subsidy mission in Bajo de Masinloc, a coral atoll, on Thursday morning, July 23, an official said. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela said that no one was injured and that the two Filipino vessels successfully completed their fuel and food distribution to fishermen.  Two Filipino vessels, the BRP Datu Dumangsil and the BRP Datu Paiburong, conducted a fuel subsidy delivery mission.  The incident began at 5:54 a.m., when CCG 3302 – a 99-meter long patrol cutter ship – approached just 50 meters off the bow of the Datu Dumangsil. The CCG 21579 also tried to cut off the Datu Paiburong by crossing half a kilometer in front of it. At 6:29 a.m., CCG 3302 unleashed its water…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate cannot afford to shoulder the meals of parties in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Win Gatchalian said as the chamber rejected the request to foot the bill for the defense team’s food, beverages, and catering needs. In a July 7 letter addressed to Gatchalian, a copy of which was recently obtained by the media, Duterte also requested that the meals be prepared by the Office of the Vice President’s accredited caterer, citing security concerns. ”As these arrangements are required solely in connection with these proceedings, the OVP respectfully requests that the Senate shoulder the reasonable costs of food and beverage and catering services for the defense team, support staff, and witnesses,” the letter read. Asked about the request on Thursday, July 23, Gatchalian said he has yet to formally respond to Duterte’s letter but added offhand that the Senate…