Mastodawn

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 6, 2023

"Deliberately grounded on a tiny reef in the #SouthChinaSea, part of an island chain claimed by the two Asian countries, the #BRPSierraMadre is now the unlikely base for a detachment of Filipino marines who stand guard over the atoll, scanning the turquoise waters for Chinese ships." #AyunginShoal #SecondThomasShoal #Philippines

Wreck, Rats and Roaches : Standoff in the #SouthChinaSea (2014 article)
https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2014/07/world/south-china-sea-dispute/

Wrecks, rats and roaches: Standoff in the South China Sea

Tomas Etzler is a journalist and filmmaker who has covered everything from the war in Afghanistan to the 2011 Japanese tsunami. His most recent assignment took him to one of the most remote destinations in the South China Sea to witness firsthand a unique international dispute.

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 6, 2023

"#MANILA, #Philippines — Senators condemned on Sunday the Chinese Coast Guard’s (#CCG) harassment against the Philippine Coast Guard (#PCG) and military supply ship bound for #AyunginShoal.

In separate statements, senators aired their frustration on CCG’s use of water cannon against PCG vessels delivering supplies to military troops stationed on #BRPSierraMadre in Ayungin Shoal." #SouthChinaSea

Senators condemn China’s water cannon attack in #WPS: ‘Bullying must stop’
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/217339/senators-condemn-chinas-water-cannon-attack-in-wps-bullying-must-stop?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=gallery

Senators condemn China’s water cannon attack in WPS: ‘Bullying must stop’

MANILA, Philippines — Senators condemned on Sunday the Chinese Coast Guard’s (CCG) harassment against the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and military supply ship bound for Ayungin Shoal. In

INQUIRER.net

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 7, 2023

"Video from the #Philippines showed a large Chinese Coast Guard ship spraying a much smaller Philippine boat that was attempting to deliver supplies to a garrison of Philippine marines on #SecondThomasShoal...Images from the #PhilippineCoastGuard (PCG) also showed the Chinese ship moving dangerously close in front of the PCG vessels as they escorted the resupply boats" #SouthChinaSea

International backlash grows after Chinese vessel fires water cannon on Philippine boats https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/07/asia/china-philippines-coast-guard-confrontation-south-china-sea-intl-hnk/index.html

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 8, 2023

The day prior, #China called on the #Philippines to remove the #BRPSierraMadre. In response, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told reporters in Manila: “We will not abandon #AyunginShoal. We are committed to the Ayungin Shoal.” #SouthChinaSea #SecondThomasShoal

Philippines doubles down on Ayungin after China claims ‘illegal’ activities
https://www.rappler.com/nation/dfa-doubles-down-ayungin-shoal-after-china-claim-illegal-activities-august-2023/

Philippines doubles down on Ayungin after China claims ‘illegal’ activities

The Department of Foreign Affairs says resupply missions and repairs of the grounded wartime ship in Ayungin Shoal ‘are part of regular operations in line with domestic and international law’

RAPPLER

Norobiik @[email protected]

"Global concern about #China’s naval activities is growing as the country expands and modernises its military, and shows increasing aggression in its claims over the #SouthChinaSea and #Taiwan.

Joint drills with #Russia – during which a flotilla sailed near #Alaska this weekend – have also heightened concern over military coordination between #Beijing and #Moscow." #SouthChinaSea

China-Philippines dispute could escalate into superpower conflict, say analysts
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/08/china-philippines-dispute-could-escalate-into-superpower-conflict-say-analysts

China-Philippines dispute could escalate into superpower conflict, say analysts

Expert warns of ‘significant escalatory potential’ after Chinese coastguards used water cannon on Philippine boat

The Guardian

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 9, 2023

"Tensions between #China and the #Philippines are on the rise once again, with #Manila accusing the Chinese Coast Guard of using water cannon to block a Philippine military supply boat from delivering food, fuel and water to troops garrisoned on a decommissioned warship grounded on a reef in the #SouthChinaSea."

What’s behind rising China-Philippines tensions in the South China Sea?
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/9/whats-behind-rising-china-philippines-tensions-in-the-south-china-sea

What’s behind rising China-Philippines tensions in the South China Sea?

Here’s what you need to know as maritime confrontations between China and the Philippines increase.

Al Jazeera

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 9, 2023

"#MANILA, #Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. refuted #China on Wednesday, August 9, and denied any agreement to remove the Philippine ship #BRPSierraMadre from #AyunginShoal in the #WestPhilippineSea" #SouthChinaSea #SecondThomasShoal
https://www.rappler.com/nation/marcos-refutes-china-denies-agreement-remove-ship-ayungin-shoal/

Marcos refutes China, denies ‘agreement’ to remove Ayungin ship

'If there does exist such an agreement, I rescind that agreement now,' says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

RAPPLER

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 10, 2023

"If #China succeeds in enforcing its nine-dash line claim using its new coast guard law, and if #Russia succeeds in keeping Ukrainian territory that it has invaded, then both China and Russia would be overturning and negating the foundational principle of the #UNCharter." #SouthChinaSea #PagasaIsland #AyunginShoal

[ANALYSIS] Flashpoints in the #Philippines-China relationship
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/analysis-flashpoints-philippines-china-relationship/

[ANALYSIS] Flashpoints in the Philippines-China relationship

'China’s new coast guard law constitutes a threat of force against other claimant states in the South China Sea in clear violation of the UN Charter'

RAPPLER

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 11, 2023

"#PUERTOPRINCESA, #Philippines – The Philippines is looking at several options to strengthen its hold on the disputed #SecondThomasShoal (#AyunginShoal) in the #SouthChinaSea including refurbishing a grounded and rusting warship it uses as a military outpost, a move that would likely anger #Beijing." #BRPSierraMadre #China

https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-refurbishing-grounded-ship-option-strengthen-hold-ayungin-shoal/

Philippines says refurbishing grounded ship an option to strengthen hold on Ayungin Shoal

The Philippines intentionally grounded the World War Two-era warship Sierra Madre in 1999 as part of its sovereignty claim to the Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), which lies within its exclusive economic zone

RAPPLER

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 12, 2023

“Yung resupply mission na yan, ‘pag dinaan mo ‘yan sa #helicopters, hindi na yan mapipigil,” Trillanes, who worked as a backdoor negotiator for President #BenignoAquino in #China, said over radio DWPM. #AyunginShoal #WPS #Philippines

Trillanes urges #AFP to use helicopters anew to supply #BRPSierraMadre
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/217704/use-helicopters-anew-to-supply-brp-sierra-madre-afp-urged

Trillanes urges AFP to use helicopters anew to supply BRP Sierra Madre

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines should resume using helicopters to bring supplies to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV said on

INQUIRER.net

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 14, 2023

'I don't know where he got his information,' Senator #JinggoyEstrada says of Roberto Tiglao's claim that it was former president Estrada who made the promise to #China to remove #BRPSierraMadre from #Ayungin. #AyunginShoal #SecondThomasShoal #WPS #SouthChinaSea

Jinggoy, JV refute Tiglao’s claim that #Erap made promise to China
https://www.rappler.com/nation/jinggoy-jv-refute-tiglao-claim-erap-made-promise-china-ayungin-shoal/

Jinggoy, JV refute Tiglao's claim that Erap made promise to China

'I don't know where he got his information,' Senator Jinggoy Estrada says of Roberto Tiglao's claim that it was former president Estrada who made the promise to China to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin

RAPPLER

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 15, 2023

"The #NationalSecurityCouncil says internal threats pinpointed by the #Duterte administration – the #CommunistInsurgency, local #TerrorGroups, and #IllegalDrugs – are no longer priorities" #SouthChinaSea #China #Philippines

Marcos security policy focuses on threats in #WestPHSea, #Taiwan Strait
https://www.rappler.com/nation/marcos-jr-security-plan-focuses-external-threats-west-philippine-sea-taiwan/

Marcos security policy focuses on threats in West PH Sea, Taiwan Strait

The National Security Council says internal threats pinpointed by the Duterte administration – the communist insurgency, local terror groups, and illegal drugs – are no longer priorities

RAPPLER

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 16, 2023

"The structures, according to the senator, could serve as permanent lodging for soldiers stationed at the rusty #BRPSierraMadre, a warship intentionally grounded in the shoal in 1999 as a Philippine military outpost and now at the center of fresh tensions between #Manila and #Beijing." #Ayungin #AyunginShoal #Philippines #WestPHSea

P100-M funding sought for PH Ayungin buildup
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/217872/p100-m-funding-sought-for-ph-ayungin-buildup?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=gallery

P100-M funding sought for PH Ayungin buildup

Sen. Francis Escudero’s proposal on Tuesday to set aside P100 million in the 2024 national budget for the construction of permanent structures in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West

INQUIRER.net

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 16, 2023

"#Locsin, who filed numerous diplomatic protests and sometimes tweeted expletives against #China, led the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) at a time when the Philippine leader, #Duterte, sought closer ties with Beijing. He was Duterte’s third and longest-serving foreign secretary, steering the DFA from October 17, 2018, until Duterte’s term ended on June 30, 2022." #Philippines #ForeignAffairs

Marcos names Locsin, Duterte’s top diplomat, as special envoy to China
https://www.rappler.com/nation/marcos-names-teddyboy-locsin-special-envoy-china/

Marcos names Locsin, Duterte's top diplomat, as special envoy to China

Teodoro Locsin Jr., son of a journalist detained during the Marcos dictatorship, will concurrently serve as ambassador to the UK under the second Marcos president

RAPPLER

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 17, 2023

"#TritonIsland, which #China has controlled since 1974, is the westernmost and southernmost point of the #Paracels, almost the same distance from the Vietnamese coast and China’s island province of #Hainan.

Powell said the construction there 'will clearly make #Vietnam agitated.' #TootSEA

China appears to be building an airstrip on a disputed island in the #SouthChinaSea
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-appears-building-airstrip-disputed-island-south-china-sea-rcna100348

China appears to be building an airstrip on a disputed island in the South China Sea

China appears to be constructing an airstrip on a disputed island that is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan, adding to tensions in the South China Sea.

NBC News

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 18, 2023

"The planned exercise set for Wednesday comes amid mounting tensions between #China and the #Philippines after a Chinese coast guard vessel fired a water cannon at a Philippine military-chartered boat near the #Manila-controlled #SecondThomasShoal in the #SouthChinaSea earlier this month." #AyunginShoal

#Japan, #US, #Australia eye ship deployment to Philippines for drill
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230818/p2g/00m/0in/063000c

Japan, US, Australia eye ship deployment to Philippines for drill - The Mainichi

(Kyodo) -- Japan, the United States and Australia are considering sending their vessels carrying aircraft to the Philippines to conduct a trilateral n

The Mainichi

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 22, 2023

"The #AirAssault drills, which also involved a small contingent of American troops, were carried out as the #Philippines was making a new attempt to deliver supplies in #AyunginShoal, two weeks after one of its supply boats was prevented from doing so by #ChinaCoastGuard (CCG) ships using water cannons." #WestPHSea #SecondThomasShoal #SouthChinaSea #Australia #US

PH-Aussie forces regain territory from ‘invaders’ in #Palawan mock drills
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/218141/ph-aussie-forces-regain-territory-from-invaders-in-palawan-mock-drills

PH-Aussie forces regain territory from ‘invaders’ in Palawan mock drills

RIZAL, Palawan, Philippines —Filipino and Australian troops trained for the first time together on Monday in the defense and recapture of territory from mock invaders in this coastal town facing

INQUIRER.net

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 22, 2023

“Notwithstanding attempts by #ChinaCoastGuard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels to block, harass, and interfere with the supply mission, the Philippine supply ships … successfully completed their supply mission,” the task force added. #AyunginShoal #BRPSierraMadre #Philippines

The task force said Unaizah May 1 and Unaizah May 2 were escorted by #PCG vessels #BRPCabra and #BRPSindagan during the mission, while Philippine Navy ships were also on standby.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/218171/ph-coast-guards-resupply-mission-to-brp-sierra-madre-crew-successful

Despite China’s attempt to ‘interfere,’ PCG says resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre successful

MANILA, Philippines (Updated) — Despite Chinese vessels attempting to "harass" its crew, the Philippine Coast Guard said they successfully conducted the rotation and resupply mission

INQUIRER.net

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 23, 2023

"On August 22, two #PCG ships escorted boats commissioned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (#AFP) to bring supplies to #Philippine Marines stationed at the #BRPSierraMadre, a grounded ship that serves as the Philippine outpost in those waters. It was the #Philippines’ second resupply mission in August, after a routine mission on August 5 was partially stopped by #China." #AyunginShoal

PCG says nothing ‘humanitarian’ about China’s moves vs #Ayungin resupply mission
https://www.rappler.com/nation/coast-guard-nothing-humanitarian-china-moves-resupply-mission-ayungin-west-philippine-sea/

Philippines says nothing 'humanitarian' about China's moves vs Ayungin resupply mission

The Philippine Coast Guard says Chinese ships tried 'various ways for the vessels to be separated from the PCG'

RAPPLER

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 24, 2023

“Masyadong maliit ang P10 million kumpara halimbawa sa #DepEd na may proposed intelligence funds na P150 million. The #PCG is threatened by #China almost on a daily basis, 24/7, while the DepEd is not even facing any security threat,” #Hontiveros said. #Philippines #WestPHSea #SouthChinaSea

Hontiveros wants bigger intelligence funds for Coast Guard in 2024 budget
https://www.rappler.com/nation/hontiveros-wants-bigger-intelligence-funds-philippine-coast-guard-2024-budget/

Hontiveros wants bigger intelligence funds for Coast Guard in 2024 budget

'Masyadong maliit ang P10 million kumpara halimbawa sa DepEd na may proposed intelligence funds na P150 million,' says Senator Risa Hontiveros

RAPPLER

Norobiik @[email protected]Aug 26, 2023

The air, sea and land drills, the first large-scale joint exercise between #Australia and the #Philippines, simulated retaking an enemy-controlled island.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marlies said after the drills that the first joint patrols of the #SouthChinaSea by the Australian and Philippine navies would “happen soon”.

Australia, Philippines hold military drills, plan South China Sea patrols
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/26/australia-philippines-hold-military-drills-plan-south-china-sea-patrols

Australia, Philippines hold military drills, plan South China Sea patrols

Approximately 1,200 Australian soldiers and 560 Filipino marines took part in military exercises to storm a beach.

Al Jazeera

Norobiik @[email protected]Sep 1, 2023

"#India, meanwhile, was among the countries that rejected and protested #China’s 2023 national map, in which China claimed Indian land, as well as territory being disputed by the two countries.

Interactions between China and India in disputed borders have been more violent, especially between 2020 and 2021, following clashes along the Sino-Indian border that resulted in casualties."

Indian envoy to #Philippines warns against ‘aggressive maneuvers’ in Indo-Pacific
https://www.rappler.com/nation/indian-ambassador-philippines-warns-aggressive-maneuvers-indo-pacific/

Indian envoy to Philippines warns against 'aggressive maneuvers' in Indo-Pacific

Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran says the behavior of large states is ‘very crucial’ in keeping the region stable

RAPPLER

Norobiik @[email protected]Sep 4, 2023

Western Command (Wescom) chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, the top military commander overseeing #Palawan and the country’s claims in the #WestPhilippineSea, calls the Nido observation post “the other #BRPSierraMadre,” referring to the grounded warship that serves as a military outpost in #Ayungin. #ElNido #Palawan #Philippines #WestPHSea

Troops at Nido outpost see vital role amid isolation
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/218670/troops-at-nido-outpost-see-vital-role-amid-isolation?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=gallery

Troops at Nido outpost see vital role amid isolation

EL NIDO, Palawan, Philippines — The passing of each day is slow and tedious for a small group of soldiers deployed to the Nido observation post, a former gas platform that has been turned into a

INQUIRER.net

Norobiik @[email protected]Sep 7, 2023

Marcos on Tuesday called out “misleading narratives” that reduce disputes in the #SouthChinaSea to a mere competition between two influential nations as such claims deny #Manila’s independence and agency, and disregards its legitimate interests. #Philippines #China #US

Marcos, Harris hold talks on South China Sea, maritime cooperation
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/07/2294506/marcos-harris-hold-talks-south-china-sea-maritime-cooperation

Norobiik @[email protected]Sep 8, 2023

Here we go again 🙄 #China's using smaller coast guard ships this time though. Very bad optics the last time kasi.

"On Friday morning, the #PhilippineCoastGuard escorted supply vessels to #SecondThomasShoal, also known as also known as #AyunginShoal, in the #SpratlyIslands, where a handful of troops are stationed on a crumbling navy ship, the task force said." #BRPSierraMadre

#Philippines condemns Chinese boats' 'illegal' actions in Ayungin Shoal
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/08/2294806/philippines-condemns-chinese-boats-illegal-actions-ayungin-shoal

Misty M.Aug 26, 2023

@Norobiik interesting 🤔. There is very little of this on the news here in Australia, that I’ve seen.

HANK fan TTAF Sep 8, 2023

@Norobiik yet those 31M will say "HontiVirus" (Hontiveros virus)

mike805 Aug 16, 2023

@Norobiik That looks more like a wreck than a base. Tow it out to sea and it would sink. Not a nice place to live.

si_irini Aug 8, 2023

Often I think...
How sick is that actually?
How much you have to want conflict and war?
Of course, it plays a role that it is a big money-making machinery...
One plunges almost the whole world into the abyss and earns even more.
China has made many countries dependent so that you can not even sanction...
I could puke...