Retitled: Philippine protests against China under Duterte

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Duterte questioned Xi over Chinese vessels around Pagasa
Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) - June 10, 2019 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte says he questioned the swarming of Chinese ships around the Philippines’ Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Duterte said Chinese ships had surrounded Pag-asa despite his declaration that he would not allow Americans on the island, which is part of Kalayaan town in Palawan and inhabited by about 200 Filipinos.

“I was not angry but I said, did I not tell you Mr. President that I will never allow the Americans to set foot on any of the islands controlled by the Philippines? That we will not start any war and that I will never allow American weapons to be stationed on that island?” Duterte said in an interview aired over Sonshine TV last Saturday.

“So, why are you surrounding my island with so many ships? You’re wasting your gasoline. That’s my exact words. You’re wasting your gasoline. You might as well give it to us,” he added.

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Read more at https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/06/10/1925151/duterte-questioned-xi-over-chinese-vessels-around-pagasa?fbclid=IwAR2eolVQM4LcXlFMe4Oo9TFKCb1OM3k6BZx5P3xN_lB6mtz8WH4vlWpYzD8#VuPYu9Slc73fRCVw.99

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Locsin says PHL 'firing off' diplomatic protest over presence of Chinese ships in EEZ
Published August 9, 2019 10:11am
Updated August 9, 2019 10:25am

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/703991/locsin-says-phl-firing-off-diplomatic-protest-over-presence-of-chinese-ships-in-eez/story/

The Philippines is set to lodge another diplomatic protest against China, this time in connection with the two Chinese vessels that were spotted in the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

On Twitter, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said they are "firing off" the diplomatic protest after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana questioned the business of Chinese research vessels and warships in Philippine waters.

"Okay, got it, General. @DFAPHL firing off diplomatic protest," Locsin tweeted.

The move came after Ryan Martinson, assistant professor at China Maritime Studies Institute of Naval War College, claimed that a Chinese oceanographic survey ship was sighted operating in Philippine sea territory.

Martinson said Chinese ship Zhanjian, which was just 75 nautical miles away, started operating in the Philippine east coast on August 3.

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[Ayoshi]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/08/20/1944894/diplomatic-protest-filed-over-chinese-warships

Diplomatic protest filed over Chinese warships
(The Philippine Star) - August 20, 2019 - 12:00am

He informed the Senate committee on foreign relations of his move at a hearing yesterday.

Locsin said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s word is enough to convince him of the need for another diplomatic protest.

“If we did it already, fire another. We won’t run out. & don’t wait for formal intel. This is the Secretary of National Defense no less. Fire at will,” he said. Lorenzana said over the weekend that China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea had become an “irritant.”

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https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/04/19/locsin-ph-has-protested-chinese-incursions-in-west-ph-sea-60-times-under-duterte

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Philippines files protests vs. China actions in West Philippine Sea
Published April 22, 2020 7:57pm
Updated April 22, 2020 8:06pm
By MICHAELA DEL CALLAR

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/735175/manila-files-protests-vs-china-actions-in-west-philippine-sea/story/

The Philippines on Wednesday filed two diplomatic protests against China over supposed violations of international law and Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy" Locsin Jr.

In a tweet, Locsin said the protests were filed with the Chinese Embassy in Manila and concerned China's alleged harassment of a Philippine Navy ship and its unilateral establishment of two districts that cover Philippine territories in the West Philippine Sea.

"At 5:17 pm today the Chinese embassy received 2 diplomatic protests: 1. on the pointing of a radar gun at a Philippine Navy ship in PH waters & 2. declaring parts of Philippine territory as part of Hainan province—both violations of international law & Philippine sovereignty," he said.

The two new districts - one in the Paracels and one in the Spratlys, where several areas are claimed by the Philippines - will be under the authority of the local government in Sansha, a city in the southern island of Hainan.

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PH Lodges Diplomatic Protest Against China

https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/dfa-releasesupdate/27445-ph-lodges-diplomatic-protest-against-china

PASAY CITY 20 August 2020 – The Department lodged today a diplomatic protest to China over the illegal confiscation by the Chinese Coast Guard of fish aggregating devices (payaos) of Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc in May.

The Philippines also resolutely objected to China’s continuing illicit issuances of radio challenges against Philippine aircraft conducting legitimate regular maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea. END


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https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines/posts/2918431611730052

The Philippines files diplomatic protest against China over the Chinese Coast Guard's illegal confiscation of fish aggregating devices of Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc in May. www.cnn.ph

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The latest flashpoint

Where Julian Felipe (Whitson) Reef is located, relative to other PH outposts in the KIG

Protests

Chinese vessels warned, told PH Navy, PCG ships to leave Julian Felipe Reef- Lorenzana

Published March 29, 2021, 3:32 PM
by Martin Sadongdong

https://mb.com.ph/2021/03/29/chinese-vessels-warned-told-ph-navy-pcg-ships-to-leave-julian-felipe-reef-lorenzana/

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disclosed on Monday, March 29, that the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships that were sent to the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea were asked to leave by the the crew of the Chinese vessels who insisted that the area is part of China’s territory.

“There was no physical confrontation but there were warnings. They warned us ‘do not come here.’ But we responded that we are patrolling our area. It’s just a standard exchange,” Lorenzana said in a television interview over CNN Philippines.

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Delfin Lorenzana
@del_lorenzana

https://twitter.com/del_lorenzana/status/1378211290066251778

The Chinese Ambassador to the PH has a lot of explaining to do. There are still 44 Chinese vessels that are in Julian Felipe Reef. I am no fool. The weather has been good so far, so they have no reason to stay there. These vessels should be on their way out. Umalis na kayo diyan.

https://twitter.com/DFAPHL/status/1378959038092873733

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Duterte stands by Lorenzana’s remark on Julian Felipe Reef
By Azer Parrocha  April 5, 2021, 5:02 pm

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135783

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte is standing by the strong statement made by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana demanding the immediate departure of the remaining 44 Chinese vessels from the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea, Malacañang said Monday.

Lorenzana on Saturday told the remaining 44 Chinese vessels to leave, saying they had no more reason to take shelter there since the weather has cleared.

In response, the Chinese Embassy in Manila called Lorenzana’s remark “unprofessional”, maintaining its historical claim over the feature which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“Of course, the President stands by the statements of our Secretary of Defense,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over CNN Philippines.

Roque, however, pointed out that the presence of Chinese ships in the area would not lead to war.

“I hasten to add that the President has been clear that this is not an issue that will lead to war between friendly nations. We are hoping that our friendly relations will soon resolve this latest impasse,” he added.

In a Palace press briefing aired over PTV-4, Roque cited Duterte’s speech during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2020 where the latter affirmed the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s (PCA) ruling in favor of the Philippines’ arbitration case against China’s expansive maritime claims in the disputed sea.

“Hindi po nagbabago ang posisyon ng ating Presidente. Eto po yung kanyang nabanggit na salita sa UN General Assembly. Hindi po natin isasakripisyo, hindi natin ipamimigay ang ating national territory at ang ating mga exclusive economic zone (The President’s position has not changed. He mentioned this during his speech at the UN General Assembly. We will not sacrifice or give away our national territory and EEZ),” he said.

Roque said Duterte also believes that friendly relations between the Philippines and China will result in the peaceful resolution of this impasse.

“Ang posisyon po ng Presidente, paninindigan natin ang ating karapatan pero hindi po to isang bagay para tayo po ay gumamit ng dahas. Kampante po ang ating Presidente na dahil nga po mero tayong malapit na pagkakaibigan mareresolba ang hidwaan na ‘to (The President’s position is that we will fight for our rights, but this is no reason for us to use force. Our President is confident that our strong ties would resolve this impasse),” he added.

He also reiterated support for Lorenza’s demand for Chinese vessels to leave the Julian Felipe Reef.

“I think Secretary Lorenzana was correct in pointing out that we consider that area as part also of Philippine territory and exclusive economic zone,” he said.

‘Sovereignty non-negotiable’

In a separate statement, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo expressed opposition over the “unjustified stay” of Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef, saying it could result in “unwanted hostilities” between the two countries.

“While we recognize the historical and cultural ties with China that have evolved into a productive relationship, its present territorial incursions is producing an unwelcome stain in their bond and may trigger unwanted hostilities that both countries would rather not pursue, as destructiveness consequences are not only undesirable, they are abhorrent as well and anathema to the peace of the region,” Panelo said.

Panelo insisted that the country’s sovereignty is “non-negotiable” despite the Philippines’ improved ties with China.

“Let it be clear to all countries of the world that are protective of their own sovereignties. Like them, we are fiercely protective of ours. We can negotiate on matters of mutual concern and benefit, but make no mistake about it -- our sovereignty is non-negotiable,” he added.

He said the matter of territorial dispute has to be resolved in the “diplomatic negotiating table or by the dictates of international law.”

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea earlier expressed concern over a Philippine Coast Guard report that about 220 Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, were sighted in line formation at the Julian Felipe Reef on March 7.

The reef is located approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan.

The Department of Foreign Affairs expressed support over the DND's demand for the remaining Chinese ships' withdrawal from the Julian Felipe Reef.

"[T]he Philippines’ position on this continued Chinese presence in the WPS has been unequivocal, as articulated by the recent statement of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea and the statement today by the Department of National Defense," the DFA said.

On March 21, the Philippines filed a diplomatic protest over the presence of around 200 Chinese ships at the Julian Felipe Reef.

The DFA on Monday “strongly” denounced the Chinese embassy’s “unprofessional” comment against Lorenzana.

“The DFA strongly denounces the Embassy’s attempt to impugn the Secretary of National Defense -- a Cabinet official of the Republic of the Philippines -- by calling his statement ‘unprofessional,’” the DFA said in a statement. (PNA)

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DFA summons Chinese envoy; demands anew ships' withdrawal in WPS
By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora  April 13, 2021, 2:53 pmShare

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1136613

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian on Monday to express "utmost displeasure" over the presence of Chinese vessels off the Julian Felipe Reef.

"[T]he DFA reiterated the firm demand of the Philippines that China ensures the immediate departure of all its vessels from the area of Julian Felipe Reef and other maritime zones of the Philippines," it said in a statement on Tuesday.

DFA Acting Undersecretary Elizabeth Buensuceso told Huang that Julian Felipe Reef lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and that the Chinese vessels around the feature are a "source of regional tension."

The official also said the July 2016 Award in the South China Sea Arbitration ruled that claims to historic rights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction that exceed the geographic and substantive limits of maritime entitlements under UNCLOS, are without lawful effect.

On the previous untoward statements of the Chinese embassy spokesperson on Defense Secretary Lorenzana, Buensuceso reminded the Chinese side of proper decorum and manners in the conduct of their duties as guests of the Philippines.

"Both sides affirmed the use of peaceful settlement of disputes in addressing their differences on the South China Sea/West Philippines issue," the DFA said.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said there are still nine Chinese ships left in the area.

'Tradition yields to law'

The Chinese side has insisted that the Julian Felipe Reef or what it calls Niu'e Reef is part of its territory, adding the reef and its adjacent waters are traditional fishing grounds for Chinese fishermen.

In previous Chinese Foreign Ministry statements, it also said China has "historical rights in the South China Sea."

In a separate tweet, Locsin said tradition yields to law and that the law on the matter is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

"There are a little over a dozen left. Come, come, time to go. As I said, while it may well be traditional fishing grounds, tradition yields to law and the law on the matter are UNCLOS and The Arbitral Award and the common rules of statutory construction," he said.

Locsin also said these incursions achieve nothing in law as fishing is not an act of possession nor a claim of ownership.

"Also that it is a goddamned distraction from the beneficial potential of the good relations China and the Philippines have built under PRRD (President Rodrigo Duterte) and that these incursions achieve nothing in law because, e.g., fishing is not an act of possession nor a claim of ownership; fishing is just fishing and even if you take your damned time fishing in the same spot it is still only what you claim it is—fishing," he said.

"Our partnership has so much potential not just for our mutual but even more for the benefit of Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). What a waste of great opportunities for good. Let’s give it a rest," he added. (PNA)

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Duterte denounces China's illegal acts in Ayungin Shoal
By CNN Philippines Staff

Published Nov 22, 2021 1:06:13 PM

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/11/22/Duterte-China-Ayungin-Shoal-water-cannon.html

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 22) — President Rodrigo Duterte slammed China for harassing Philippine vessels in Ayungin Shoal.

During his speech at the ASEAN-China Special Summit on Monday, he urged China to exercise utmost self-restraint after three Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked and fired water cannons at Philippine boats in the country's territory last week.

"We abhor the recent event in the Ayungin Shoal and view with grave concern other similar developments. This does not speak well of the relations between our nations and our partnership," said Duterte, who has cultivated close ties with China and has rarely rebuked Asia's giant.

He added stakeholders must avoid the escalation of tension and work towards the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.

"There is simply no other way out of this colossal problem but the rule of law," the President said.

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https://twitter.com/PTVph/status/1462656883571843075