Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Historic day – Philippines defies rising global superpower China

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This reminds me of 1991, when the Philippine Senate voted not to renew the American bases after the United States rejected the idea of “rent” and the Philippines insisted on jurisdiction of criminal offenses committed by American soldiers.

For good or ill, future generations will mark this day.

UPDATE: I’ve posted a new story

Passenger on plane to Ayungin Shoal got this message from Globe Telecom – “Welcome to China”

Statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on the Philippines’ submission of a memorial against China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

Today, the Philippines submitted its Memorial to the Arbitral Tribunal that is hearing the case it brought against the People’s Republic of China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in January 2013.

The Philippines’ Memorial was submitted in conformity with the Rules of Procedure adopted by the five-member Arbitral Tribunal last August, which established March 30, 2014, as the due date for its submission.

The Memorial presents the Philippines’ case on the jurisdiction of the Arbitral Tribunal and the merits of its claims. It consists of ten volumes. Volume I, which is 270 pages in length, contains the Philippines’ analysis of the applicable law and the relevant evidence, and demonstrates that the Arbitral Tribunal has jurisdiction over all of the claims made by the Philippines in its Statement of Claims, and that every claim is meritorious. It sets out the specific relief sought by the Philippines in regard to each of its claims, and shows why it is entitled to such relief.

Volumes II through X contain the documentary evidence and maps that support the Philippines’ claims, all of which are cited in Volume I. Volumes II through X consist of more than 3,700 pages, including more than 40 maps, for a total submission of nearly 4,000 pages.

The Memorial is the result of an enormous, collaborative effort by the extremely capable and dedicated legal team that has been serving the Philippines in this important case, headed by Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza and a team of lawyers from various agencies, including the OSG, DFA, DOJ, and the Office of the President.

I also wish to thank other government agencies for their invaluable contribution in the generation of documents including:

  • The Department of Justice (DOJ);
  • The Department of National Defense (DND), particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force (PAF) ;
  • The Department of Transportation and Communications, particularly the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG);
  • The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, specifically the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA);
  • The Department of Energy (DOE);
  • The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR);
  • The Foreign Service Institute (FSI);
  • And other agencies such as National Museum, National Historical Commission, National Archives, DILG’s Philippine National Police, Municipality of Kalayaan, and the UP Marine Science Institute.

We are also most grateful to our international legal advisers led by Paul Reichler and his team of international lawyers, including Mr. Lawrence Martin, Professor Bernard Oxman, Professor Philippe Sands, and Professor Alan Boyle for their invaluable guidance and assistance.

Ordinarily, the next step in an arbitration of this nature would be the filing of a Counter-Memorial by the other Party. However, it is currently unknown whether China will appear in the case, or whether it will continue its present policy of abstaining from the proceedings. Under the Rules of Procedure, the Arbitral Tribunal will decide on next steps and advise the Parties.

The Philippines will follow the guidance of the Arbitral Tribunal in regard to the publication of the Memorial. In the meantime, out of respect for the Tribunal and the arbitral process, it is obliged to preserve confidentiality.

With firm conviction, the ultimate purpose of the Memorial is our national interest.

It is about defending what is legitimately ours.

It is about securing our children’s future.

It is about guaranteeing freedom of navigation for all nations.

It is about helping to preserve regional peace, security, and stability.

And finally, it is about seeking not just any kind of resolution but a just and durable solution grounded on International Law.

Thank you very much indeed for your kind attention.

_______________________________________

You may want to read my other stories on the South China Sea conflict:

Pres. Aquino’s NYT interview was “partly” a response to China’s offer

Will there be war between the Philippines and China?

Why the Philippines will bring the South China Sea conflict to the UN

Philippine government IS worried over China’s tech control of power grid

US rejects China’s 9-dash line

UN arbitration was “last resort” to resolve South China Sea conflict – PH foreign secretary

Is China wrong?

Cheap Chinese globes depicting claims to all of South China Sea are selling in Manila stores

Is China after the Philippines’ oil & gas fields?

Why get so riled up over some rocks under the sea?

Disputed rocks

Japan Foreign Minister may discuss with PNoy aid provision for up to 10 state-of-the-art coast guard ships

South China Sea and the Indian Ocean

Captain of grounded Chinese warship was negligent, claims retired PH admiral

 

Comments

  1. Short but good read. I specially like the “Countries should be judged by their actions, not by their words.”

    https://www.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/2013-06-27-21-50-36/dfa-releases/2526-statement-of-the-secretary-of-foreign-affairs

    Statement of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs

    4 April 2014 – We have submitted our Memorial to the Arbitral Tribunal. We have done so for reasons we have widely explained.

    To recall, we have done so primarily to seek clarification of China’s claim of indisputable sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea on the basis of their so-called “9-dash line” which is an excessive and expansive claim. This is in gross violation of international law.

    By going to arbitration, the Philippines has signaled its fidelity to international law. The Philippines, at this point, will not be able to reply to detailed questions regarding its submission to the Arbitral Tribunal since this matter is sub judice.

    Nevertheless, the Philippines makes clear that it will continue to exercise self-restraint and will not raise tension in the South China Sea. The Philippines is not the country that has greatly increased its naval and maritime presence in the South China Sea. Nor has it challenged freedom of navigation. Nor has it blockaded nor forcefully intimidated any other country in the South China Sea.

    Countries should be judged by their actions, not by their words.

    We reiterate that arbitration is a peaceful, friendly and a durable settlement mechanism under international law.

    With the submission of the Philippine Memorial and with the support of the Filipino people, we are defending what is legitimately and rightfully ours. END

  2. Here is my email to Pnoy:
    31st March 2014

    Dear President Benigno C Aquino,
    I writing this letter with reference with the filing of our memorandum before the Arbitral Tribunal of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at The Hague in the Netherlands challenging China’s territorial claims over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), it is high time that we have to revisit our military strength, this will include all our military assets .We have to be aware that China will use all her military strength specifically its naval assets both military and civilian ships to force by default , our military forces assigned in Ayungin or in Kalayaan /Pagasa island to leave their stations because of inability to receive the supply provisions and rotations of assign military personnel in the area.
    If we do want to endanger the security of country or the loss of USD Trillion of beneath the sea of large quantities of oil/gas deposits because of China’s encroachment on our territory it is high time that our country has to invest within the remaining years of your term from now up June 2016 , the procurement of necessary military assets such Frigates and Jet Fighters based on multi -year payment term say payment will be in 15 years . The yearly payment will be included in the Department of National Defense yearly allocated budget . Please find below the Numbers and Amount for such military assets:
    1.0 10 Nos of Frigates at USD 400 Million each USD 4.0 Billion
    Possibly from Hyundai or Daewoo based on Govt to Govt Loan agreement

    2.0 4 Squadron (48 Nos) of Jet Fighters F15 Silent Eagle at USD 100 Million each Jet
    USD 4.8 Billion
    The F15 is from Boeing , the possibility getting Boeing to supply with the Jet Fighters
    is much better than getting the F16 Block CD because Boeing failed negotiation with
    South Korea which selected the F35 and Boeing would surely like to sell the said Jet Fighters.

    An Alternative is 5 Squadron (60 Nos) Jet Fighters JAS 39 Gripen from Sweden’s Saab
    at USD 80 Million each Jet Fighter, operational cost is much lower compared to Boeing F15
    3.0 Missile System USD 1.2 Billion

    4.0 Operational and Maintenance Cost USD 1.7 Billion
    Total Amount USD 11.7 Billion

    Total Amount ( PHP) 527.00 Billion
    Amount to be included /allocated in DND yearly budget for 15 years PHP 35.13 Billion

    With the above , there will be 12 Nos new Frigates ( 2nos now slated to be ordered with the required budget ) and the Philippine Navy can transfer the 2 nos ex Hamilton Class US Coast Guard Cutters, now BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz to the Philippine Coast Guard and possible another one soon to be de-commissioned Hamilton Class US Coast Guard Cutter can be bought from US to strengthened the said DOTC Maritime Unit to check the China’s encroachment to our maritime territory.. Our Philippine Navy ships should not be used to counter the large in size and numbers of China Coast Guard vessels to avoid confrontation . If our military ships will intercept such civilian ships , China will have all the reason to use her powerful naval vessels at its disposal from frigates, destroyers, submarines and to its lone air craft carrier. It is important that we have to add the required maritime vessels to our civilian maritime enforcers, the Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR.

    These additional Frigates and Jet Fighters are primarily for protection of our territory nothing more and nothing less , as a nation we should protect our country from external threats and no amount of money can replace a lost territory including our dignity as a nation, we should not follow the path of Ukraine , that just lost Crimea to Russia because of their inability to defend her territory against the mighty Russia.
    The above amount is the cost our country has to bear if we want to defend our territory, there is no free ride in defending our territory , this has to be on our own cost , other help from other countries such from US and Japan is only our contingency. Even if we have the US using our military bases based on the Enhance Defense agreement, we should really develop our military.. We can forego some of govt expenses such as the PDAF, if we can ask our legislators to allocate yearly PHP20 Billion of the PDAF to DND budget, then only PHP 15 Billion will be allocated as extra to DND Budget.

    Frigates and Jet Fighters manufacturers would surely like to get in touch with our country to supply such military assets with our economy growing, our country can afford this billion of dollars of expenses no question on this, how we are going pay is the only question and the solution is multi- year payment which is an acceptable concept and being practice worldwide by a lot of nations. We should do this now as it take minimum of two-three years before we can get the military armaments.. We have to place the order now. This should be ordered during your term as we do not know who is going to be next President unless he is your anointed successor, our military modernisation will be in limbo. President Pnoy, if you do this before end of 2014, you will leave our country a legacy no other President have done, defend the integrity of our country against the aggressive nation such as China aside from the agreement with the MILF and your Pantawid Gutom, CCT Program

    We should also ask our citizens to raise funds for this cause, surely a lot of our country men would surely contribute to such noble cause, defending our country from a country like Bully China If I am unable to serve my country as soldier ,in a small way I can at least contribute to the funds intended to raise money or if we can have tax law for military modernisation fund , that will raise the necessary money to fund the procurement of such military assets.

    I just do hope that you would go through with my suggestions for the betterment of our country.
    President Pnoy stay healthy ..Cheers..

    • Tonyabs@14

      I agree. The sin tax law collections are much more than the required 35B yearly budget you proposed. We should give utmost priority to our country’s defense and dignity. “Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo?”

  3. China Unfettered: Redefining The Rules Of The Seas – Lee Kuan Yew, Contributor (This story appears in the April 14, 2014 issue of Forbes Magazine.)

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/currentevents/2014/03/26/china-unfettered-redefining-the-rules-of-the-seas/

    —

    LOOKING TO THE PAST?

    (Phils.) Supporting Legal document –

    ROYAL CROWN OF ENGLAND
    GENERAL LAND FORM 01 3 – 1764

    ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF TITLE
    No. T-01-4

    OFFICE OF THE ESCRIBANIA DE CABILDO
    HACIENDA OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
    Province of MANILA

    Entered pursuant to Decree of 01-4, protocol by virtue of the Supreme Order of the Royal Crown of England, and in accordance with the order of the Royal Audiencia de Manila, under date of 17th day of January, 1764, issued at the Province of Manila, Philippine Islands, in a case No. 571 of said Court.

    Excerpt –

    “II. Islands of Palawan Peninsula Region, embracing the area of Albay, Camarines (Ambos Camarino Sur con Norte), Masbate, Sorsogon, Palawan and Spratley Islands, containing an area of 3,652,875 hectares, more or less;”

    Source: http://www.tallanofdn.com/html/oct_01-4.html

  4. xièxieni (Thank You)

    Press Release

    China’s Position on the Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines
    –by Zhang Hua, (2014/04/03)

    (Zhang Hua is the Spokesperson of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines)

    http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/xwfb/t1143881.htm

    —

    NOTE:

    Absence of References (and footnotes) to historical records to qualify some of the claims.

    Point 3
    Excerpt –

    “… took a series of steps to confirm and reaffirm its sovereignty over the Nansha Islands.”

    Point 5
    Excerpt –

    “China has ample historic and legal basis for its sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters. China was the first to discover, name, develop and operate on the Nansha Islands.”

  5. China general charged with corruption, http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/04/01/356764/china-general-charged-with-corruption/

    Excerpt –

    China has formally charged a senior army officer with corruption and abuse of power, in what has become the biggest corruption scandal to engulf the army.

    A military prosecutor charged Lieutenant General Gu Junshan with embezzlement, bribery, misuse of state funds and abuse of power, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.

  6. Does the People Republic of China and the Communist Party of China ‘believe’ in “non-aggression?” Yes. Their Constitution says so. It says:

    “In international affairs, it safeguards China’s independence and sovereignty, opposes hegemonism and power politics, defends world peace, promotes human progress, and pushes for the building of a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity. It develops relations between China and other countries on the basis of the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual nonaggression, noninterference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. ”

    ‘Mutual nonaggression,” “Non-interference in each other’s internal affairs,” “Equality and Mutual beneift,” and watch this – “Peaceful coexistence.’

    The above quoted portion of China’s Constitution is worded on It’s “independent foreign policy’ CLAUSE, following a peaceful development and win-win strategy, etc.

    I give this link – http://www.china.org.cn/english/congress/229722.htm

    Does China also says It follows the ‘Rule of Law?’ Yes again, found in their Constitution, worded as follows:

    On It’s “Leadership” CLAUSE, it is worded: “The Communist Party of China leads the people in promoting socialist democracy. It integrates its leadership, the position of the people as masters of the country, and the rule of law xxx”

    Further, worded again, China worded this CLAUSE: “The Communist Party of China leads the people in building a harmonious socialist society. In accordance with the general requirements for democracy and the rule of law, equity and justice, honesty and fraternity, vigor and vitality, stability and order, and harmony between man and nature and the principle of all the people building and sharing a harmonious socialist society, xxx”

    China also worded it in their Constitution on ‘world peace’…like this:
    “In international affairs, it safeguards China’s independence and sovereignty, opposes hegemonism and power politics, defends world peace, promotes human progress, and pushes for the building of a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity. It develops relations between China and other countries on the basis of the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual nonaggression, noninterference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. It strives for the constant development of good-neighborly relations between China and the surrounding countries and for the strengthening of the unity and cooperation between China and other developing countries. ”

    In other words, on the immediate preceding CLAUSE, China believes ‘believes in’ International Law when their Constitution says: “In international affairs”…etc.

    Are the One Billion 300 Million CHINESE PEOPLE made aware of these Constitutional provisions in their Constitution? Of their Communist Party of China? We do not know. Maybe only the members of the Politburo and a couple of hundreds or even thousands members of the PARTY.

    CPMers may get interested in the constitution of China here for more learning about CHINA and it’s CONSTITUTION. And hold them to HONOR these and those PROVISIONS in our dispute to our territories in the PHILIPPINE SEA etc.

    I have not finish reading all of this ARTICLE OF CHINA’s – their CONSTITUTION. [btw…I really got ‘baggled’ reading it!]

    • In the first place, it’s mind-boggling how they concocted the nine-dash line,as per their “historical claims”. Even more so that they had actually gone these lengths and rhetoric to pursue their claims.

      • My guess is that China is concerned since Obama called US ” ASIA PACIFIC NATION”
        they dont want US on their doorsteps. They never forgot the Opium war and resulting humiliation by Japan and Western Powers

    • Better@leona if we can also read a copy of the MEMORIAL to comparevwith the 9 dash lines together with their Constitution..

      • @Victin…yea a COPY of the MEM; @Joe Am…yea, like taking their AK-47 using it to shoot ’em!; @Zamera…right you are!…I love ‘baggle’ [bagle=bread]…bag = like I was ‘put in the bag’ reading that item.

        I am quite sure China’s ‘long rhetoric’ wordings of their fundamental law can get them actually in confusion when the INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY interprets those phrases according to average international norms and common ‘human’ reason [they love to use the first word so many times in it]…

        …let’s get more from China’s rhetorics.

        • …speaking of ‘line’ or ‘lines,’ from Raissa’s listings of links above, one mentions that of –

          “The United States for the first time has explicitly rejected the U-shaped, nine-dash line that China uses to assert sovereignty over nearly the whole South China Sea xxx.”

          Again, I do not find in CPC’s constitution anything about the ‘line’ of China that the US has rejected. The only thing about ‘line’ in CPC’s fundamental law is this –

          …on that PROGRAM [portion of their Constitution], saying

          “The basic line” …[continued] – to …

          ” of the Communist Party of China in the primary stage of socialism is to lead the people of all ethnic groups in a concerted, self-reliant and pioneering effort to turn China into a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious modern socialist country by making economic development the central task while upholding the Four Cardinal Principles and the reform and opening up policy.”

          Nowwhere do we find the ‘territory or TERRITORIES of China provision(s) in their constitution.

          In CPC’s fundamental law, China ADMITS as a fact [from it’s own printed WORDS] that China is still ‘achieving NATIONAL REUNIFICATION – [this link is dated YEAR 2007 from XINUA NEWS AGENCY October 26, 2007] :

          … x x x “They must hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and strive to fulfill the three historical tasks of advancing the modernization drive, achieving national reunification, and safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.” [at (unnumbered) 8th paragraph…PROGRAM portion]

          Cina ADMITTED also a fact in the same manner that It is still [in YR 2007] ‘backward economically and culturally’ :

          ….x x x “China is in the primary stage of socialism and will remain so for a long time to come. This is a historical stage which cannot be skipped in socialist modernization in China which is backward economically and culturally. It will last for over a hundred years. ” [at (unnumbered) 9th paragraph…PROGRAM portion]

          ‘It will last for over a hundred years’…meaning what? My guess is China will make a DASH for MANY U-LINES creating IT’S TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES until ‘over a hundred years!’

          *** with CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS! *** [one finds this phrase at the beginning…and so on so many times in their constitution]

          We will notice in this CPC constitution, China focused mainly on it’s considered importance: Program; Chapter I – Membership; Chapters II -to – V on Organizations; Chapter VI on Cadres; Chapter VII on Party Discipline; Chapter VIII on Party Organs; Chapter IX on Leading Party Members’ Groups; Chapter X on Relationship on Party and Communist Youth; and Chapter XI on Party Emblem and Flag.

          On Party Flag…nothing about territories/boundaries of CHINA or ‘9 U-Dash Lines.’

          Why is that? My guess is that …they don’t know where their territories END UP. It could all go across the PACIFIC OCEAN after getting PHILIPPINE SEA….up to the border of HAWAII [maybe] and BEYOND up to a couple of MILES from California USA someday!

          Crazy thought indeed [ China …and mine]

    • kung ang constitution nila ay made in china, tiyak kong hindi yun tatagal.
      malamang ay may bago na uli sila. malay natin made in japan o germany na.
      tatagal na iyon. lol.
      nagpapaalis lang po ng alta pression!!! hehehe…

  7. I tip my buli hat to the DFA for finally submitting our “memorial” to the ITLOS despite repeated threats from the chinese bullies and also to the bravery and resourcefulness of the merchant ship that had successfully re-supplied our garrison at Ayungin Shoal despite chinese naval blockade.

    China: Beijing not looking for trouble in south china sea. “The latest tension at the Ayungin Shoal comes just as Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing is not looking for trouble in the south china sea or what Manila calls the West Philippine Sea,”

    Xi said his country will not act aggressively but added that china will also not stand down from any act of provocation.”

    IMHO, provocation means re-supplying our garrison on Ayungin Shoal which china claims as its own despite its proximity to Palawan (105 nautical miles west of Palawan)

    Former national security adviser and West Pointer Roilo Golez pointed out that china’s posturing in Ayungin is just part of its goal to seize and control Recto Bank and its proven vast oil and gas reserves (Philstar 3/20/14)

    Recto Bank is just 100 kms from Palawan and the PH government has already awarded exploration rights to interested parties.

    Due to clear and present danger from the chinese, it’s high time our naval base in Ulugan Bay in Palawan should be upgraded to host the US warships to check beijing’s aggressive stance in the West PHL Sea

    • I think series of Public Biddings for the developments of the ULUGAN BAY had been completed and some of the piece meal contracts had also started .. If my figure is right the budget for ULUGAN ranges up to 500m ….

    • Where is Roilo Golez when the construction of military structures at Mischief Reef’s were being undertaken, during the Ramos administration? I had seen photographs of those structures percentage accomplishment weekly posted at WESCOM before… It’s started from small chinese fisherman refuge area until the completion of a Heavy Fortified military barracks and now capable of human habitation’s…. Shallow areas at the reef were reclaimed and pictures were taken and submitted to the DND or AFP before…

      • Rep. Golez was serving his first term as congressman (1992) and FVR had his own people like Almonte to oversee the national security.

        The mischievous chinese stealthily constructed a fishermen’s shelter in 1994, 2 years after the US bases were kicked out – and later on steadily transformed the mischief reef into a four-story concrete garrison, finishing it at the time of erap (1999)

        To neutralize the Mischief Reef and protect the Recto Bank, our Ayungin garrison must be held at all cost – it’s like Corregidor protecting Manila Bay and Stalingrad in 1942-43 protecting the oil-rich Caucasus region from the naziz during WW2.

        The PHL Coast Guard expects delivery of 2 to 3 brand-new multi-role patrol boats from Japan by the 3rd qrtr of 2015, and the remaining 7 at a later date (PDI 3/31/14)

    • @Kalahari

      Same here, good job for the DFA and PNoy’s administration. But will the 90 million Filipinos be patriotic and nationalistic enough to defend our sovereignty if many of them do not even know the nine dash line much more the Memorial. there need to be a massive information and education campaign not only on the social media but most of all to the grassroots through popular education (local media, print, forum, focus group discussions and any other means) for them to know its value and the consequences.

      In Raissa’s previous blogs, I made mention of China’s creeping invasion on the Scarborough shoal and now at the Ayungin shoal. It won’t be long before China becomes more aggressive as a response to the Memorial.

      • “There should be no doubt about resolve of the United States. We stand by our allies and we stand by our commitments.” Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, the top US diplomat for East Asia, told a Senate panel that oversees policy in the region.”

        “The United States on Thursday cautioned China that it will meet its defense commitments to allies as tensions mount between Manila and beijing over their territorial dispute in the south china sea.”

        Russel told a congressional hearing that some Asian countries fear that Russia’s annexation of Crimea could serve as a precedent for beijing.”

        A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED

  8. kahapon ng hapon habang naka-stall kami sa don bosco exit coming from sales via skyway ay ito ang ibinabalita ng abs-cbn c/o chiarra sembrano.
    chinese warships tried to stop our boat.
    it was a heroic act indeed.
    kabado rin ako na baka iyon mag-trigger ng isang hindi magandang aksyon ng mga tsino.
    at kahit matiwasay silang nakapasok ay nag-alala pa rin ako na baka sila harangin naman sa pag-labas ng ayungin shoal…
    this incident is really frightening at sobra na ang assertion ng mga iyan sa atin mismong teritoryo.
    nakikiisa ako sa mga hakbangin ng ating pamahalaan upang panatilihin ang pagmamay-ari sa ating kinamulatang karagatan.
    kudos mga kababayan. mabuhay po ang kagitingan ninyo!!!

    • mabuhay ang bayan natin! mabuhay! those 6 marines holed up in ayungin ay mukhang mga ermitanyo na. 6 na buwan na wala silang gupit at mahaba na ang mga buhok nila, parang mga kantoboy ang pagmumukha nila when they greeted chiara sembrano and the civilian ship that come with supplies for them.

      yes, vander, kinabahan rin ako. but greatly admired the courage of our fellow pinoys facing up 2 chinese coastguard ships, one behind them, the other in front, humaharang. pero the pinoys maintained their course and did not falter at nakawala when they reach shallow water. hindi nakaya ng chinese vessels ang shallow water. pang deep sea lang pala ang vessels nila at hindi nakahabol.

      palagay koy haharangin uli sila ni ciara sa pag-uwi o baka they will be towed away to china and charged with piracy.

  9. Memorial vs Immemorial

    Historic day indeed. Commemorative, memorializing also a day when folklore of “historical ties” for China (People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (Taiwan)) to assert sovereignty over bodies of water.

    Dotted line, U-shape line, or nine-dash[1]
    Changes from 11 to 9 dashes in living memory may also dispute both China’s account of their ‘historal ties’ over the disputed bodies of water. Rather, a dispute on account of their incredible recollection.

    Numbers were changed by a mere endorsement of Zhou Enlai, and without any given reasons, be it personal ‘incentives’ or historical correction(s) to recollections – nil whatsoever. Simply just – a record of it. And a bad one, IMO.

    It is also not a defined line because it does not have any specific geographic coordinates and does not tell how it can be connected if it was a continuous line. In October 2008, the website WikiLeaks published a cable from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing reporting that Yin Wenqiang, a senior Chinese government maritime law expert, had “admitted” he was unaware of the historical basis for the nine dashes.

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine-dotted_line

    Malays and Filipinos had already historical ties plying and fishing over those bodies of water (including shoals, isles, islets, islands within). Both Chinas only decided to lay err sail to claim rights separately from 1947 and 1949. The Kuomintang government of the Republic of China was a short lived gov’t from 1912 to 1949, and the other China just decided to adopt thesame from 1949.

    If its just clean water they demand (lay claim), IMO they can have as much as they want. Read, bottled Clean Air Sells for $0.80 (Per Breath) in China, (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-03-03/china-clean-air-sells-080-breath).

    —

    1. Nine-dotted line = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine-dotted_line

      • he, he, sometimes, mel, I think, the chinese fired a surface to air missile and hit malaysia airline flight 370, the airplane being in the disputed air zone claimed by china. and when they realized there were 139 chinese nationals on board, they panicked and in an attempt to hide what they had done, send vessels to smuggle the dead and the survivors to china. now kept in an isolated island.

        • re ‘malaysia airline flight 370’?

          ahh, not a good thing to humor on the subject.

          Seriously, cui bono?

          Contrary to ‘news’ featured in tabloid pages, personal issues or domestic political leanings of the Pilots on board, IMO, doesn’t warrant for a mass destruction at destination, or loss of hundreds of lives on board.

          All on board have become collateral, to prevent a bigger … if it reached its destination. (Nothing but a speculation, for now)

          MH 370 was used for a hidden agenda, for which only time will reveal.

          Sirit? Anung bansa ang pupuntahan ni Pogi? Paki basa mo ang kumento ni kamison sa kinse tuldok isa (US admiral explains how US’ newest recon plane is searching for missing Malaysian airline).

        • More on “… ‘news’ featured in tabloid pages, personal issues or domestic political leanings of the Pilots on board, IMO, doesn’t warrant for a mass destruction at destination, or loss of hundreds of lives on board.” (March 31, 2014)

          Malaysia says may sue over ‘false’ MH370 media reports
          Agence France-Presse
          8:12 pm | Tuesday, April 1st, 2014

          He [Transport and Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein] took particular aim on Monday against British tabloid the Daily Mail, which at the weekend quoted a “source close to the family” of pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah as saying police had learned he was emotionally unstable before the flight amid alleged marital trouble.

          “I can confirm to you that the information did not come from the police and you should ask Daily Mail how they get the information,” Hishammuddin said tersely when asked about the report.

          In a Facebook comment reported by local media, Zaharie’s daughter Aishah Zaharie accused the Daily Mail of “making up” the report.

          The Daily Mail also reported earlier that Zaharie was said to be a fanatical supporter of Malaysia’s political opposition. Friends and acquaintances have denied that.

          Sources:

          – http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/590955/malaysia-says-may-sue-over-false-mh370-media-reports

          – http://www.samachar.com/Malaysia-says-may-sue-over-false-MH370-media-reports-oebsMcagadc.html

    • Sampal sa kanila kasi iyong “teritoryo” nila kuno e hindi nila kabisadong-kabisado. Kung saan malalim, kung saan mababaw. Syempre mas alam ng tunay na may-ari no! ^_^

  11. Congrats DFA, for coming out with this kind of statements, We are proud na marinig ang ganitong matapang na makabayang pahayag. Umaasa ang lahat na nawa’y hindi lamang ito isang lip-service at may kalakip na kaukulang pagkilos mula sa mga kinauukulan upang hindi na tayo lumabas na duwag at inutil sa harap ng world’s opinion. Papuri at paghanga din sa ipinakitang katapangan at katatagan sa panig ng mga bumubuo sa Civilian ship na umalma sa pambu-bully ng China kamakailan.

  12. UNITED WE STAND …………against mainland China………… But i still believed that the “NATIONAL TERRITORY ” as written in the 1987 Constitution must be respected by every Filipino’s and never again do we allow that even an iota of deflection’s on our sea-boundaries be written by the Legislative body , approved by the President and concurred by the Supreme Court alone , but must be ratified by the Filipino people through a referendum.

  14. I read where China, culturally, looks at such challenges as an assault. Therefore, we can expect very harsh words and perhaps even actions from the Red Beast. But every word, and every act, reflects off the peaceful and law-based approach of the Philippines to prove the point: China is out of touch with modern values that uphold laws as rules that ensure peace, and diplomatic refinement that assures civility and respect for other nations and peoples.

    There is no question, around the world, who the good guys are in this tussle, and who the bad guys are.

    Kudos to the Aquino government for charting a firm course.

  15. Thank you for the updates and this is truly a great day for the Philippines.

    Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!