The Sierra Madre has become the most dangerous flashpoint in the Indo-Pacific
Philippines secretly reinforces ship at centre of South China Sea dispute
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China’s latest actions not an armed attack – Palace
Tag: Bongbong Marcos
Philippine Sailor Severely Injured, Vessels Damaged as Chinese Block South China Sea Mission + Notes
It was the Philippines that rammed the CCG!* US-funded Rappler** doesn’t mention the other soldiers who were injured.
Philippine Sailor Severely Injured, Vessels Damaged as Chinese Block South China Sea Mission
Meanwhile, a Philippine government release from the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea stated that ships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy, China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia performed “dangerous maneuvers.” However, there is no mention of injury to Philippine personnel in the release. The statement also claimed that Chinese forces rammed and towed Philippine vessels, although it’s unclear to what extent the latter occurred during the incident. This is the first reported instance of China towing – defined as pulling, pushing or hauling – Philippine vessels in their South China Sea disputes.
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Read More »Experts warn of Philippines scheming for ‘new arbitration’ on South China Sea + More
While reiterating that the arbitral tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration exceeded its jurisdiction and made an illegitimate ruling, Chinese experts warned on Monday that the Philippines is scheming for “new arbitration” on the issue, which would undermine regional peace and stability.
Experts warn of Philippines scheming for ‘new arbitration’ on South China Sea
Related:
Philippines should use legal, moral leverage in West Philippine Sea – expert
Ray Powell, director of the SeaLight Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University, said China is using an “asymmetrical” strategy through military might in asserting its claims in the region.
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He also expressed support for the Philippine government’s plan to file another case against China, this time over the environmental destruction that China has caused in the West Philippine Sea.
PH to complete environmental case vs. China in ‘few weeks’- DOJ
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on May 20, 2024
The Office of Naval Research funded Stanford’s GKC
I’m no expert, but I had a feeling that they would back in April, at least:
Philippine Coast Guard clarifies ‘assertive transparency’ tact
Vietnamese Poachers using Cyanide and Dynamite Fishing in the Philippines’ EEZ
Philippines’ grounding warship illegal, escalating tensions unacceptable: Chinese FM (videos)
The Philippines released the video of CCG ‘stealing’ supplies after China released the footage of the gunmen on the BRP Sierra Madre. This, after BBM said that any Filipino death would trigger the US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty.
Philippines’ grounding warship illegal, escalating tensions unacceptable: Chinese FM
H/T: rhk111
WikiSpooks: Rappler (Sponsored by Facebook, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Google, Internews, National Endowment for Democracy, Open Society Foundations, Omidyar Network)
The United States assembles the Squad against China
The US has relaunched its military cooperation alliance under a new name “the Squad”, but with the same goal: to counter and “contain” China
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CRUSH THE PHILIPPINES
April 28, 2024 by Mauro Gia Samonte
BRIGHT as the sun shines, this is what will happen in our country when the war that the United States has planned to detonate in the Philippines since 2014 breaks out. In the said year, America planned the war in Ukraine. It came true. In the same year, America planned Israel’s war against Hamas. It came true. The parallel plan made in the Philippines by America is what is contained in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) obtained by the United States (US) in the administration of Benigno Aquino III in 2014. Under the agreement, the US was granted five military base of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deploy American troops and military equipment that is unlimited in number and cannot be inspected by the Philippine authorities. Entering 2023, the five EDCA bases were increased by Bongbong by four more, which really boiled the tension in the South China Sea. China could not hide its simmering anger.
“Don’t be an idol in America,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned the Philippines.
Although the agreement states that nuclear weapons cannot be deployed at EDCA bases, the Philippine authorities have no way to ensure that this will be followed because of the EDCA provision that such American deployments cannot be inspected by the Filipino authority. Based on the double (treasonous) American face in world politics, it can be expected that at the EDCA bases nuclear weapons are already present and deployed, ready to be launched at any time needed.
Read More »
PH: Bongbong Marcos among Time’s 100 most influential people of 2024
PBBM among Time’s 100 most influential people of 2024
“Bongbong has stood steadfast against Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea and bolstered his nation’s alliance with the US in the face of rising tensions in the region and the world,” read a portion of Marcos’ profile in the 2024 Time 100 issue.
“Many problems persist, including extrajudicial killings and journalists routinely attacked. But by trying to repair his family name, Bongbong may reshape his country too,” it added.
President Marcos is listed in the Leaders category, along with Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny; Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk; Taiwan President-elect Willian Lai; Argentina President Javier Milei; Qatar Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Adbulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; World Bank Group President Ajay Banga; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; and Chinese Premier Li Qiang; among others.
Hyperlinks added by me.
Related:
Time 100: Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Pulse Asia: Marcos approval down 13 points, Sara’s by 7
Marcos’ approval rating went down from 68 in December 2023 to 55 in March 2024.
His trust rating went down from 73 in December 2023 to 57 in March 2024.
Philippine Coast Guard clarifies ‘assertive transparency’ tact
US to change Japan command posture to boost deterrence in face China -US envoy
US to change Japan command posture to boost deterrence in face China -US envoy
Sources with knowledge of the planning have told Reuters Washington will consider appointing a four-star commander for Japan to match the rank of the head of Japan’s new military headquarters. Experts say a U.S. officer of that rank could lay the groundwork for a future unified Japanese-U.S. command.
Related:
A Vital Next Step for the U.S.-Japan Alliance: Command and Control Modernization
Reimagining U.S. Forces Japan
The current structure of alliance command and control is not sufficient for the task. U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) has changed little since the 1960s, when Japan was viewed as little more than a platform for U.S. military operations across the region. USFJ’s authorities and staffing are limited primarily to administering alliance agreements related to the 50,000-plus U.S. personnel stationed in Japan with the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army. U.S. forces in Japan represent some of the most important U.S. military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, but the three-star USFJ commander has limited joint operational authorities, and the separate U.S. service elements in Japan report back to their component headquarters in Hawaii.
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 
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