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The government must prioritize the protection of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as this directly affects the Philippines’ food security, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee said on Wednesday. The Bicolano lawmaker issued the call in the wake of the back-to-back water cannon incidents in the WPS by the China Coast Guard (CCG). “We must […]
To counter the threats from propaganda, misinformation and fake news on the West Philippine Sea issue – especially amid the rise of social media – Senator Robin Padilla spurred Malacanang’s communication arm to strengthen public awareness on the matter. In Senate Resolution 864, Padilla urged the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to “communicate to the public in […]
As the Senate opens floor debates on the 2024 national budget, Senator Chiz Escudero said funding for new facilities at the Ayungin Shoal and Kalayaan Island, the country’s frontline posts in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), “is a done deal in the Senate.” Senators are unanimous in putting funds in next year’s budget for building […]
Senator Robin Padilla pushed for early compensation for victims of the collision between a commercial vessel and a fishing boat in the West Philippine Sea. At the Senate hearing that tackled the collision, Padilla stressed the government must speed up the process of giving compensation to the victims as they and their families are very […]
Reallocating confidential funds to the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) would significantly enhance its monitoring, control, and surveillance efforts in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and other fishing grounds across the country, according to the Agency. While the decision rests with Congress, DA-BFAR National Director Atty. Demosthenes Escoto expressed gratitude to […]
House Deputy Majority Leader Alfred Delos Santos does not favor giving any Filipino fishermen any intelligence and evidence-gathering roles in the seas of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Ang Probinsyano Part-list representative said he rejects putting Pinoy fishermen in danger. “Let soldiers, professionals, and trained reservists do the job, not the fishermen,” the […]
Senate President Migz Zubiri expressed outrage over the destruction of the marine ecosystem in the West Philippine Sea, saying the continued intrusion of Chinese vessels into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone threatens global food security. Zubiri was referring to the reported damage to coral reefs in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, where dozens of Chinese maritime militia […]
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa questions China’s recent claims it has allowed the recent successful resupply mission of the Philippines to BRP Sierra Madre due to “humanitarian consideration.” In an interview recently, Dela Rosa was asked whether or not the Philippines needs China’s go signal with regards to exercising its sovereign rights in the West […]
National Unity Party (NUP) president LRay Villafuerte has “high hopes” that the naval drills of the United States (US) with Japan and Australia in the South China Sea (SCS) could be the prelude to the Philippines’ joint sails with these three allies, plus possibly South Korea, in the West Philippines Sea (WPS), which has been […]
“Atin po ito (Pag-Asa is ours),” Senator Robin Padilla stressed this after visiting Pag-Asa Island in the West Philippine Sea recently. During his visit, Padilla pushed for the implementation of projects that will benefit residents living there, so they need not leave the island. “Atin po ito. Huwag po nating hayaang maangkin ito ng kung […]