LIKE BEES TO HONEY This photo shows Chinese fishing vessels swarming off the Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal, south of the oil- and gas-rich Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea. This was taken from an air patrol by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on June 30, 2023. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WESTERN COMMAND OF THE AFP

Chinese Vessels Harass Philippine Coast Guard at Escoda Shoal

Explore the escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea as a Philippine Coast Guard ship faces ongoing harassment from Chinese vessels at Escoda Shoal. Discover the alarming environmental concerns, including signs of coral dredging, which suggest possible reclamation activities. Understand the implications of these developments on the marine ecosystem and the geopolitical landscape.

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Zubiri Urges China to Leave Pag-asa Island

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, along with other key government officials, visited Pag-asa Island to reaffirm the Philippines’ sovereignty. The visit highlighted the nation’s commitment to maintaining its territorial integrity amidst maritime disputes. Key infrastructure projects, such as military barracks and a health unit, were inaugurated to bolster defense and humanitarian capabilities. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized the unified stance against foreign encroachments. These developments underscore the Philippines’ resolve to protect its sovereign territories in the West Philippine Sea.

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