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Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

Wreck, Rats and Roaches : Standoff in the (2014 article)
edition.cnn.com/interactive/20

The Sierra Madre was grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal by the Philippines authorities in the 1990s — a detachment of marines is stationed on the rusting hulk.
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

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

Senators condemn China’s water cannon attack in : ‘Bullying must stop’
globalnation.inquirer.net/2173

Senators condemn China’s water cannon attack in WPS: ‘Bullying must stop’INQUIRER.net
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

"Video from the 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 ...Images from the (PCG) also showed the Chinese ship moving dangerously close in front of the PCG vessels as they escorted the resupply boats"

International backlash grows after Chinese vessel fires water cannon on Philippine boats edition.cnn.com/2023/08/07/asi

Aerial footage showed a much larger Chinese coast guard ship firing water cannon at a smaller Philippine vessel.
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

Philippines doubles down on Ayungin after China claims ‘illegal’ activities
rappler.com/nation/dfa-doubles

SOUTH CHINA SEA. This file photo shows a Philippine flag on top of the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal on March 29, 2014.
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

Joint drills with – during which a flotilla sailed near this weekend – have also heightened concern over military coordination between and ."

China-Philippines dispute could escalate into superpower conflict, say analysts
theguardian.com/world/2023/aug

China-Philippines dispute could escalate into superpower conflict, say analystsThe Guardian
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

"Tensions between and the are on the rise once again, with 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 ."

What’s behind rising China-Philippines tensions in the South China Sea?
aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/9/wh

SOUTH CHINA SEA Overlapping claims China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, but is opposed by Southeast Asian states and Taiwan. The sea is strategically vital; it has rich fishing stocks, likely oil and gas deposits, and is where $3 trillion of trade transits annually.
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

[ANALYSIS] Flashpoints in the -China relationship
rappler.com/voices/thought-lea

[ANALYSIS] Flashpoints in the Philippines-China relationshipRAPPLER
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

rappler.com/nation/philippines

The Philippine flag flies over the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal.
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Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

Trillanes urges to use helicopters anew to supply
globalnation.inquirer.net/2177

The AW109 is a lightweight twin-engine helicopter, known for its speed, elegant appearance and ease of control. Since entering commercial service, several revisions and iterations have been made, frequently introducing new avionics and engine technologies. The Philippine Navy has ships which can carry and launch this model. Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland_AW109 Image source: https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/aw109-power-light-twin-engine-helicopter/
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

Jinggoy, JV refute Tiglao’s claim that made promise to China
rappler.com/nation/jinggoy-jv-

ALL HEARSAY.' Senator Jinggoy Estrada refutes claim that it was his father who made the promise to China. Angie de Silva/Rappler
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

"The says internal threats pinpointed by the administration – the , local , and – are no longer priorities"

Marcos security policy focuses on threats in , Strait
rappler.com/nation/marcos-jr-s

Scene from the Philippine Coast Guard's installation of navigational buoys in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, in this handout image obtained on May 15, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS
Aug 15, 2023, 11:03 · · · Tusky · 0 · 2
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

P100-M funding sought for PH Ayungin buildup
globalnation.inquirer.net/2178

PRACTICALLY UNINHABITABLE | The decrepit BRP Sierra Madre, seen here being boarded by Philippine Navy men, may be in its last days, says Sen. Francis Escudero. He’s proposing the construction of a pier and lodging structures for Filipino soldiers stationed there, as well as for fishermen in distress. Photo taken on June 22, 2022. (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

", who filed numerous diplomatic protests and sometimes tweeted expletives against , led the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) at a time when the Philippine leader, , 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."

Marcos names Locsin, Duterte’s top diplomat, as special envoy to China
rappler.com/nation/marcos-name

MARCOS' AMBASSADOR. Former foreign secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. during the Commission on Appointments approval of his ad interim appointment as ambassador to United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, December 7, 2022. Angie de Silva/Rappler
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Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

Powell said the construction there 'will clearly make agitated.'

China appears to be building an airstrip on a disputed island in the
nbcnews.com/news/world/china-a

This satellite photo from Aug. 15 reveals development on Triton Island in the South China Sea. Planet Labs PBC / AP
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

, , eye ship deployment to Philippines for drill
mainichi.jp/english/articles/2

This file photo taken on Nov. 6, 2022, shows the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's largest destroyer, the Izumo, in Sagami Bay off Kanagawa Prefecture.
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Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

PH-Aussie forces regain territory from ‘invaders’ in mock drills
globalnation.inquirer.net/2181

COMBAT PREPS Filipino and Australian soldiers participate in a combat exercise in Tarumpitao Airfield in Rizal, Palawan, on Monday as a part of Exercise “Alon” between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Australian Defence Force. —AFP
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

“Notwithstanding attempts by 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.

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

globalnation.inquirer.net/2181

RUSTY OUTPOST Members of a resupply mission prepare to embark the grounded naval ship BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, one of the nine outposts guarding the West Philippine Sea, to replenish supplies for its troops. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

PCG says nothing ‘humanitarian’ about China’s moves vs resupply mission
rappler.com/nation/coast-guard

Philippines says nothing 'humanitarian' about China's moves vs Ayungin resupply missionRAPPLER
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

Hontiveros wants bigger intelligence funds for Coast Guard in 2024 budget
rappler.com/nation/hontiveros-

Senators Risa Hontiveros and Koko Pimentel at the senate hearing on the cease and desist order issued by the DSWD to Gentle Hands, Inc. orphanage, on July 5, 2023. Angie de Silva/Rappler
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Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

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

Australia, Philippines hold military drills, plan South China Sea patrols
aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/26/a

Philippine soldiers take part in a large-scale combined amphibious assault exercise on August 25, 2023, at a naval base in San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines [Riley Blennerhassett/Australian Department of Defence via AP Photo]
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

", meanwhile, was among the countries that rejected and protested ’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 warns against ‘aggressive maneuvers’ in Indo-Pacific
rappler.com/nation/indian-amba

INDIAN ENVOY. Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran speaks to media in Manila on September 1, 2023.
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

Troops at Nido outpost see vital role amid isolation
globalnation.inquirer.net/2186

WELCOME BREAK | Soldiers assigned to the Nido observation post, a former gas platform turned over to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2019, are treated to food on Aug. 22, 2023, by visiting officers of the Western Command. (Photo by FRANCES MANGOSING / Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

Marcos, Harris hold talks on South China Sea, maritime cooperation
philstar.com/headlines/2023/09

Philippine's President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (L) listens as US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the 11th ASEAN-US Summit as part of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on September 6, 2023. Willy Kurniawan / Pool / AFP
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Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

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

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

condemns Chinese boats' 'illegal' actions in Ayungin Shoal
philstar.com/headlines/2023/09

This photo taken on Aug. 22, 2023 from the deck of Philippine coast guard ship BRP Cabra shows a Chinese coast guard ship (R) shadowing a civilian boat (C) chartered by the Philippine navy to deliver supplies to Philippine navy ship BRP Sierra Madre in Second Thomas Shoal, known in the disputed South China Sea. A team of AFP journalists on board the BRP Cabra, one of the two Philippine Coast Guard escort boats, watched as one of the Chinese ships came within several meters of the vessel. AFP was one of three media outlets given the rare opportunity to join the Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal, less than three weeks after Chinese coast guard ships water cannoned a similar replenishment operation.
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

, also known as , lies within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf — giving the exclusive right to explore, exploit and manage living and non-living resources within said area.

'Walang natira': AFP suspects behind massive coral harvesting in Rozul Reef
philstar.com/headlines/2023/09

Photo of damaged corals (left) and a diver (right) in Rozul Reef, located within the West Philippine Sea
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

Defense Senior Undersecretary Ireneo Espino said the needs immediate repair following recent re-supply operations.

"The deterioration is faster than the supply that we do to . I mean mas mabilis masira,” he said.

BRP Sierra Madre deteriorating fast, says DND official
news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/20/23

This aerial photograph taken from a military aircraft shows the dilapidated Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy anchored near Ayungin shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) with Philippine soldiers on-board to secure the perimeter in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, on May 11, 2015. The Spratlys are considered a potential Asian flashpoint, and claimant nations including the Philippines have expressed alarm as China has embarked on massive reclamation activity. Ritchie B. Tongo, Pool/AFP
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

and fisheries bureau personnel discovered the floating barrier, estimated at 300 metres (1,000 feet) long, on a routine patrol on Friday near the shoal, locally known as , Tarriela said.

coast guard deploys ‘floating barrier’ to cut off disputed shoal
theguardian.com/world/2023/sep

China coast guard deploys ‘floating barrier’ to cut off disputed South China Sea shoalThe Guardian
Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

, – Aboard a small boat and with knives in hand, personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard () on Monday, September 25, carried out a “special operation” to remove a floating barrier placed by the at the opening of or in the West Philippine Sea.

WATCH: PH’s ‘special operation’ to remove China’s floating barrier in Bajo de Masinloc
rappler.com/nation/video-phili

WATCH: PH’s ‘special operation’ to remove China’s floating barrier in Bajo de MasinlocRAPPLER
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Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

, – The House and the Senate have agreed to reallocate confidential and to agencies fighting for ’s rights, amid rising tensions in the .

It is unclear which agencies would lose confidential and intelligence funds because of the decision, but groups have been calling on lawmakers to realign from ' and 's offices.

rappler.com/nation/congress-co

Congress commits to reallocate confidential funds to agencies protecting West PH SeaRAPPLER
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Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

Senator Hontiveros won this round 👍 The Duterte faction's power is fading fast.

"The confidential funds initially for Vice President and Education Secretary 's offices will be redirected toward agencies at the forefront of efforts to address tensions in the "

Caving in to pressure, House to strip -led OVP, DepEd of confidential funds
rappler.com/nation/house-strip

Caving in to pressure, House to strip Duterte-led OVP, DepEd of confidential fundsRAPPLER
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Norobiik @Norobiik@noc.social

Note that is fully represented in this exercise. France is trying to expand it's presence - as is the .

Maritime Training Activity is the seventh and largest iteration of the drills as participants from , , , , the and join the and the .

US and Philippines launch military drills with partners as tensions mount edition.cnn.com/2023/10/03/asi

Back toot: noc.social/@Norobiik/109990114

mike805

@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.

Misty M.

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

HANK fan TTAF

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

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