This handout photo taken on May 19, 2024 and received on June 4, 2024 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows two Chinese rigid-hulled inflatable boats (left and right) maneuvering close to Philippine personnel on board their boats (second left and second right) near the Philippine outpost at the Second Thomas Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. AFP PHOTO

China’s Actions Strain Relations with the Philippines

Learn more about the recent tensions between China and the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea. House Speaker Martin Romualdez criticizes China’s aggressive actions, while protests in Manila condemn new regulations allowing the Chinese coast guard to detain ‘trespassers.’ Calls for respecting the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral ruling highlight the ongoing dispute and its impact on Filipino fishermen and international relations.

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PAG-ASA ISLAND INSPECTION Previous reports had it that dead and crushed corals were dumped on Sandy Cay 2 in Pag-asa Group of Island, prompting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to visit and verify the reports. Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga (partly covered) personally led the visit to inspect the island. Photo from DENR

Scientists Advocate for Sustainable Management in West Philippine Sea

A group of leading scientists is advocating for the long-term monitoring and sustainable management of resources in the West Philippine Sea. This call comes amid increasing tensions between the Philippines and China, highlighting the need for proactive measures to safeguard the region’s ecological and geopolitical stability. The University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science hosted a public forum to discuss these issues, emphasizing strategies for protecting marine resources and addressing threats such as climate change, overfishing, and plastic waste. Learn more about the collective efforts required to ensure the region’s sustainability.

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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

Philippines to Sue China Over Environmental Damage in Disputed Waters

The Philippine government is preparing an environmental lawsuit against China for alleged destructive activities in the West Philippine Sea. The case will be presented to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, aiming to address severe environmental damage confirmed by the Philippine Coast Guard, including lifeless marine ecosystems and potential deliberate modifications to underwater terrain. This lawsuit emphasizes the global significance of protecting marine environments.

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ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro speaks during a briefing on the Commission on Elections’ proposed P5.2-billion budget for 2023 at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Sept. 9, 2022. PHOTO FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WEBSITE

House Investigates Alleged ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’ with China on West Philippine Sea

The House of Representatives is set to investigate an alleged ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between former Philippine President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the West Philippine Sea. The inquiry will examine the terms and implications of the purported agreement, which involves the Philippines refraining from sending materials to its outpost on Ayungin Shoal. This investigation aims to clarify the agreement’s impact on national sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially in light of the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s claims in the region. Key figures, including Duterte, will be called to testify, shedding light on the geopolitical dynamics at play.

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