Dateline Kamuning: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is currently investigating the recent incident at Ayungin Shoal involving a Filipino fishing boat and a China Coast Guard vessel (CCGV) that occurred on 09 January 2023. On 20 January 2023, Filipino fishing boat (FFB) KEN-KEN boat captain, Mr. Lito Al-os, reported to the PCG that CCGV 5204 allegedly drove them away while fishing in the vicinity waters off Ayungin Shoal on 09 January 2023.     Accordingly, CCGV 5204 maneuvered towards FFB KEN-KEN at a distance of approximately 800 yards and deployed a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB). The CCG personnel onboard the RHIB gestured for the Filipino fishermen to leave the area. Consequently, FFB KEN-KEN altered her course and departed Ayungin Shoal. However, CCGV 5204 continued to shadow FFB KEN-KEN while underway to Boxall Reef. Upon receipt of the said report, the PCG Task Force Pag-asa immediately deployed additional Coast Guard vessels to strengthe...

May kaugnayan kaya ang napaulat na kasunduang ‘ joint oil and gas exploration’ sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at China ang nagaganap ngayong ‘militarisasyon’ sa pinagtatalunang mga isla sa South China Sea o West Philppine Sea? Noong buwan ng Pebrero nagsimula ang paguusap ng tinatawag na ‘special panel’ na binubuo ng mga ‘Filipino and Chinese expert’ para magbalangkas ng patakaran o guidelines sa pagsasagawa ng ‘joint exploration’ sa pinagtataluang lugar. Ang ‘special panel’ ay mahigpit na pinayuhan na hindi dapat maapektuhan ang usapin ng soberenidad sa pinagtatalunang mga isla. Sa pagdalo ni Pangulong Duterte sa Boao Forum for Asia, naiulat na maganda ang takbo ng paguusap ng ‘special panel’ at nabuo ang ‘political willingness’ na magkaroon ng ‘deal.’ Sa oras na mabuo ang mekanismo agad babalangkas ng ‘draft agreement’ para sa ‘joint oil and gas exploration’ ng Pilipinas at China sa ilang isla sa Spratlys. Inaasahan na ang ‘draft agreement’ ay lalagdaan sa nakatakdang pagbisit...