Recto Bank, an underwater reef in the West Philippine Sea, remains an enigma. Little is publicly disclosed about it beyond its geology, oil and gas potential, and the decades-long struggle between the Philippines and China for control of its surface waters and the rich hydrocarbon deposits in its depths. One thing is clear, industry experts...
Tag: China
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Philippine authorities cautious about forum seeking Taiwan’s ‘reunification’ with China
A recent forum hosted by a group closely linked to the Chinese Communist Party that opposes Taiwan’s independence has come under scrutiny amid concerns over foreign influence. The Philippine Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China (PCPPRC) convened more than 300 representatives of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification...
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Here are 5 ways to detect pro-China propaganda
Last March, several prominent pro-Duterte vloggers and influencers admitted in a congressional hearing that they had attended a China-funded training seminar in 2023. Former presidential communications secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed that she and bloggers Mark Lopez, Tio Moreno, Philstar.com columnist Pia Morato, and lawyer Ahmed Paglinawan took part in a two-week program in Beijing run...
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Donald Trump’s brutal tariff assaults on Southeast Asia
As of Aug. 1, US President Donald Trump has finalized a sweeping set of new and brutal trade tariffs on Southeast Asian countries after a series of bilateral negotiations with the region’s leaders and trade representatives. These tariffs reflect an increasing trend toward protectionism and moving away from free trade principles and practices. The tariffs...
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Chinese online platforms swirl with Duterte arrest disinfo
Ten days after his arrest, false reports surfaced on Chinese digital media platforms claiming that former president Rodrigo Duterte had collapsed into a coma while in detention at The Hague, where he faces trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity linked to his bloody antidrug war. Fabricated accounts described his condition...
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Fight back
Why are we not yet fighting back against China in the West Philippine Sea? Despite the numbing regularity with which Philippine vessels are rammed, blocked, water-cannoned, shot at with flares, and the corresponding injury, deprivation and harassment suffered by our service personnel, as well as damage and theft of our government property and natural resources,...
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Filipino fishers continue to struggle amid China’s intensifying aggression
SAN SALVADOR ISLAND—With a piece of chalk, Christopher de Vera Sr. marked the sketch of a triangle-shaped Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal on the board, labeling the entrance in the east and pointing out where Chinese vessels are often seen on patrol. Laughter filled the venue of the meeting, a classroom of San Salvador High School in...
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PNoy’s ‘right makes might’ principle recalled
Family, friends, and supporters of the late President Noynoy Aquino marked his third death anniversary with a Mass at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque City, on Monday, June 24. Kiko Aquino Dee, a nephew of Aquino, recalled after the Mass the late leader’s principle of “right makes might,” which he said “was often...
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Atin Ito marchers denounce China’s ‘acts of aggression’
On the eve of the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence, hundreds of activists, fishers and their supporters marched to the Chinese consulate in Makati City in protest against China’s incursions into the West Philippines (WPS), warning Beijing not to underestimate the Filipinos’ resolve to resist foreign aggressors. “China will not intimidate us,” said Akbayan Party...
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Jubilation, relief, and a little disappointment on the West Philippine Sea
Jubilant, relieved, but a bit disappointed at not coming close to Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. That was how some people felt at the end of last week’s small flotilla of the “Atin Ito” coalition that had for its mission to supply food and fuel to fishermen at Bajo de Masinloc...