CHRONICLE NEWS
2 |
Tarriela said he was not representing the PCG as a spokesperson but was tasked by the Chairman of the National Task Force-WPS to give clarification on the last briefing conducted on Friday.
The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Friday announced that among its policy recommendations to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is the announcement of the rotation and reprovision (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, which shall remain routinary and will be scheduled regularly.
The NMC convened for the second time on Friday in accordance with the mandates specified in Executive Order No. 57, series of 2024, signed by President Marcos last March 2024 and in light of the recent developments in the SCS.
During the press briefing after the meeting, the Philippine government expressed its steadfast commitment to promoting the national interests of our maritime and archipelagic country.
Meantime, a professor from the University of the Philippines, who is also an expert on International Maritime Law said he highly believes the Philippines will always resort to seeking diplomatic and peaceful solutions, particularly on matters concerning the recent Ayungin Shoal incident.
In a media forum, Atty. Jay Batongbacal of the UP College of Law-Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea explained that since the Philippines have a mandate under the Constitution to “renounce war as a means to national policy, our first recourse will always be to seek a peaceful diplomatic solution.”
“So, that is why it is not easy for the Philippines to just simply react to every incident as if it is an act of war and warrants full scale hostilities. And I think it is in that context that we should now view developments over the past week, and particularly the statements issued by the government last night,” Batongbacal said.
“So kumbaga kalma lang, keri lang and we shall see how we’re going to take the next step to ensure that we pursue our interest peacefully and avoid a full scale… or a worst, rather worst incident in our country,” he added.
On questions whether the Ayungin Shoal incident will be considered an act of war, Batongbacal said that not “every unlawful act of a state is necessarily what we call a ‘casus belli’ or an act of war and the start of hostilities between states”, considering there are rules to take into consideration.”
“There are, in international law, there are rules and jurisprudence on this issue particularly in International Humanitarian Law and the laws of armed conflict.
And in those rules or laws, incidents such as skirmishes, isolated skirmishes ‘no, geographically-isolated skirmishes may be considered as what legally might be classified as ‘frontier incidents’,” Batongbacal explained.
“These are not yet enough to be considered as an armed attack that warrants the engagement in self-defense or the right of self-defense and collective self-defense, also under the UN charter. And the intention here is to give space also for diplomatic resolution of the disputes between states which have skirmishes,” he added.
Although, he clarified that the unlawful use of force against the Philippines, particularly against Philippine troops and its sovereign vessel is a major cause of concern, noting that it is a violation of the principles of United Nations charter and international law.
He however added that in order to resolve the issues in the South China Sea area, the Philippines needs the support of the international community amid the brewing tension between the country and China.
“Kailangan pa rin natin ang suporta ng international community at tama lang na sinusuportahan tayo ng international community na i-condemn itong mga ganitong aksyon,” said Batongbacal
He said China’s actions which injured one Philippine Navy personnel must be noted. China must be held accountable “for having caused this damage, for essentially attacking the vessel with those knives in order to disable them,” he said.
While he said he is of the belief the dispute between the Philippines and China can still be resolved. Batongbacal said the important thing is for the Philippines to show where the country stands.
As the Philippines is still open for peaceful negotiations, the UP professor said the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) are still very much in effect.
However, the Palace has made it clear the Philippines is still willing to work with China to resolve the said dispute.
In a Palace briefing last Friday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the incident will not be elevated to a higher international body.
“That’s not yet in consideration because I think this is a matter that can easily be resolved very soon by us. And if China wants to work with us, we can work with China,” Bersamin said. FROM PAGE 1
“So, tinitiyak natin through NIA at saka iyong ating mga regional field offices na maayos itong mga irrigation system na ito,” he said.
In addition to these interventions, the DA also continues to build water impounding projects to store rainfall for use during the dry spell.
President Marcos has reminded local governments to stand ready for the effects of the weather phenomenon that brings more than the usual amount of rainfall.
The Chief Executive also assured farmers of the government’s preparedness measures to combat the effects of the looming La Niña.
The Department of Energy, for its part, has started its preparations for the La Niña phenomenon to avoid or mitigate damages to transmission lines.
Meanwhile, the administration of President Marcos has provided over P9 billion worth of aid for farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon, de Mesa said.
De Mesa told a news forum in Quezon City that President Marcos has visited different regions since last month to personally hand over the assistance.
He said the President has turned over more than PhP700 million under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolks (PAFF) program.
Under PAFF, beneficiaries each receive P10,000 to help cushion the effect of the dry spell to their livelihood.
Among the regions visited by the President are Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Davao, Bicol, Cagayan Valley, and Caraga.
De Mesa noted that a little over PhP9 billion worth in total damage from El Niño has been recorded, with Region IV-B or MIMAROPA as the most affected. FROM PAGE 1
“So, tinitiyak natin through NIA at saka iyong ating mga regional field offices na maayos itong mga irrigation system na ito,” he said.
In addition to these interventions, the DA also continues to build water impounding projects to store rainfall for use during the dry spell.
President Marcos has reminded local governments to stand ready for the effects of the weather phenomenon that brings more than the usual amount of rainfall.
The Chief Executive also assured farmers of the government’s preparedness measures to combat the effects of the looming La Niña.
The Department of Energy, for its part, has started its preparations for the La Niña phenomenon to avoid or mitigate damages to transmission lines.
Meanwhile, the administration of President Marcos has provided over P9 billion worth of aid for farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon, de Mesa said.
De Mesa told a news forum in Quezon City that President Marcos has visited different regions since last month to personally hand over the assistance.
He said the President has turned over more than PhP700 million under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolks (PAFF) program.
Under PAFF, beneficiaries each receive P10,000 to help cushion the effect of the dry spell to their livelihood.
Among the regions visited by the President are Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Davao, Bicol, Cagayan Valley, and Caraga.
De Mesa noted that a little over PhP9 billion worth in total damage from El Niño has been recorded, with Region IV-B or MIMAROPA as the most affected. FROM PAGE 1
PH not looking for armed aggression
in Ayungin Shoal fracas-government
EO 62 pro-poor,
not anti- farmers, DA
By: Joseph Anthony A. Damgo
DA maps
intervention plans
for looming La Niña
P9B for El Niño hit-areas
By: Lyn Y. Tallio
Q fever-infected goats
depopulated, condemned
READ: DA-BAI confirms PH’s 1st Q fever cases in imported goats from the US
The imported goats arrived in the Philippines on Jan. 11 and were brought to the quarantine facility in Pampanga for the mandatory 30-day quarantine, as well as blood sampling and testing.
The positive results for Q fever came out on Feb. 6.
Some goats, however, were transferred to Marinduque, which underwent a separate series of tests on March 11.
The first confirmatory test using the reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test turned out positive on June 19, followed by a similar result for the final confirmatory test on June 20. (PNA) FROM PAGE 1
PCSO tasked as lead agency
Marcos declares Oct. 30
as National Day of Charity
By Paula Bien Valero
“Indeed, all of us share the desire to raise sustainable, complete, [and] well-rounded communities that even the next generations can enjoy. With the seal of quality stamped wherever the name Megaworld appears -- be it condominiums, malls, or office buildings -- I’m confident in the lasting and powerful outcome of your work and these collaborations,” the President said. (PNA) FROM PAGE 1
Hotel dev't
to boost eco,
tourism - PBBM
"Thanks to this hotel, we can do more. Not only can we accommodate the resurging number of local and international tourists coming to this side of Metro Manila, but we can also expect our Entertainment City to become better known and even more distinguished, elevating its status to more potential visitors in the coming years," the President said in his speech.
The President said he is looking forward to Megaworld’s triumphs that will “undoubtedly contribute to the new Philippines, ang Bagong Pilipinas.”
“Indeed, all of us share the desire to raise sustainable, complete, [and] well-rounded communities that even the next generations can enjoy. With the seal of quality stamped wherever the name Megaworld appears -- be it condominiums, malls, or office buildings -- I’m confident in the lasting and powerful outcome of your work and these collaborations,” the President said. (PNA) FROM PAGE 1
By: Joseph Anthony A. Damgo
PH needs int’l supportin dispute with China
The Philippines needs the support of the international community amid the brewing tension between the country and China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
This was the assessment made by a professor from the University of the Philippines (UP) during a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
“Kailangan pa rin natin ang suporta ng international community at tama lang na sinusuportahan tayo ng international community na i-condemn itong mga ganitong aksyon,” said professor and lawyer Jay Batongbacal, referring to the latest provocative actions of China in Ayungin Shoal.
He said China’s actions which injured one Philippine Navy personnel must be noted. China must be held accountable “for having caused this damage, for essentially attacking the vessel with those knives in order to disable them,” he said.
But the professor opined the dispute between the Philippines and China can still be resolved. “Puwede pa iyon na maresolba later on,” he said.
The important thing, he said, is for the Philippines to show where the country stands. He said the Philippines is still open for peaceful negotiations. He also said the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) are still very much in effect.
Meanwhile, Batongbacal shared the rules and jurisprudence in international law related to the Ayungin Shoal incident marred by Chinese provocations.
“There are rules and jurisprudence on this issue particularly in International Humanitarian Law and the laws of armed conflict. And in those rules or laws, incidents such as skirmishes, isolated skirmishes, geographically-isolated skirmishes may be considered as what legally might be classified as ‘frontier incidents,” said Batongbacal.
“These are not yet enough to be considered as an armed attack that warrants the engagement in self-defense or the right of self-defense and collective self-defense, also under the UN charter. And the intention here is to give space also for diplomatic resolution of the disputes between states which have skirmishes,” he said. |PND