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Philippines-China WPS Dispute
Topic Started: Jul 15 2012, 02:28 PM (105,188 Views)
Mckoyzzz
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Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est
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Armed stand-off, mounting tensions, in the South China Sea
By Joseph Santolan
29 May 2013

A tense stand-off is unfolding in the South China Sea between a group of Philippine marines and several Chinese naval vessels. The confrontation occurs around a shoal, which has been occupied by the Philippines, in the disputed Spratly Islands. This confrontation in the South China Sea takes place as tensions continue to simmer between Taiwan and the Philippines over the latter’s killing of a Taiwanese fisherman.

The Philippine marines are occupying a former US tank-landing vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre, which was deliberately scuttled by the Philippine Navy on the shoal in 1999 an attempt to construct a small naval outpost on the cheap.

<snipped>

Over the course of ten years, the Sierra Madre has been gradually wasting away and if it is not shored up will sink into the South China Sea. The Philippine Armed Forces, at President Aquino’s instructions have begun carrying fresh construction supplies to the location, building a fresh platform over the decrepit framework.

On May 9, the Philippine navy announced that it had spotted Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Ayungin shoal and sent its own ships to investigate. On May 18, they announced that they were sending three patrol ships to the area to prevent the Chinese vessels from returning. Subsequent reports indicated that armed Chinese naval ships had surrounded the shoal.

The Philippine navy has been for the past week unable to resupply the small group of Marines on Ayungin shoal. No account of a successful visit by a Philippine ship has yet been reported in the press.


This could evolve into another sharp standoff between Beijing and Manila, following last year’s over Scarborough Shoal.

<snipped>

President Aquino issued a statement asserting that this spit of coral in the Spratly Islands was an “integral part” of the Philippines. Hong Lei, spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, responded, declaring that Beijing has “indisputable sovereignty” over the shoal. He added that “Chinese ships are entitled to regularly patrol there.”

Washington stepped very strongly into the midst of the tense armed stand-off by dispatching the USS Nimitz, a massive nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the South China Sea, sailing from South Korea, to Phuket in Thailand. The intervention of Washington was a calculated provocation, a display of military might pointedly targeted at China.

The US intervention underscores the fact that the Philippines, is only able to engage in these dangerous confrontations with Beijing, because of Washington’s backing and encouragement. During last year’s standoff over Scarborough Shoal, the Obama administration indicated its support to Manila under the 1951 US-Philippines mutual defense treaty.

Backing Philippines against China is part of Obama’s “pivot” to Asia aimed at containing China diplomatically, economically and strategically. South East Asia is a vital component of the Pentagon’s war plans, which include a potential blockade of China by cutting off its main shipping routes for raw materials and oil from the Middle East and Africa.

China responded to the US navy presence with its own display of force. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) announced a joint exercise of its three naval—North, East, and South Sea—fleets. The drill was held in the South China Sea and included warships, submarines and warplanes. Retired PLA Colonel Yue Gang told the hard-line government-owned paper, Global Times, “The joint military drill also meant to tell the Philippines that Beijing’s tough stance towards them will continue.”

FULL ARTICLE @ WSWS.ORG
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Hong Nam
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Bought by China

Andres Boning
May 29 2013, 07:08 AM
May narating ba ang pagiging passive ng gobyerno ni PNoy sa mga pinagagawa ng China sa Pilipinas? Example nalang iyon sa Scarborough shoal.. Kung tinuturing nila talaga na integral part ng bansa natin ang Ayungin Shoal, dapat nga mas lumakas ang loob nila na mag stand ground doon sa area..! MDT lang katapat niyan at magkaalaman na kung talagang kikilos iyan USS Nimitz na iyan??? Baka mamaya puro porma lang din.. :dunno:
Sa tingin ko lang, siguro hindi na aantayin ng China ang resulta ng protesta natin sa UNCLOS/ ITLOS at mukhang kukunin na nila sa santong paspasan ang lahat ng gusto nilang kunin. Katwiran siguro nila, oo talo sila talaga pero kung ano mahawakan nila eh mahirapan kahit sino paalisin sila o ipatupad ang ruling ng resulta ng protesta. :dunno:

Please take time to read the rules of this forum: http://s3.zetaboards.com/Defense_Philippines/boardrules/


11. The official language of PDFF is English. As such, all members are required to post threads and replies in English only . One or a maximum of two sentences in Filipino (Tagalog or any Philippine dialect) interspersed in the mainly English thread or reply can be allowed but posting entirely in Filipino is strongly discouraged. All mods are allowed to delete replies posted entirely in Filipino.



It shouldn't be too much to ask.

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Uruzu
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Quote:
 
The Philippine navy has been for the past week unable to resupply the small group of Marines on Ayungin shoal. No account of a successful visit by a Philippine ship has yet been reported in the press.


Huh???? No one thought of using a helicopter to drop off supplies ???!!! It's just 190km from Palawan.

Even if the helicopters don't have enough range, park the supply chopper on a CG ship/PF-15 helipad and take off when the ship is 50km off the shoal.

Seriously how hard is it.
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pachador


many of our fellow countrymen have a reactive way of responding to events. this is also manifested in doing things at the last minute or doing/fixing things only after damage has been done. this is reflected most obviously on a national level in the way our officials discharge their duties. is this a cultural mindset ?? or is it a reflection to a certain extent of officials whose family upbringing they just copied from their parents. My theory is that one major cause for this slow or reactive response to events is simply because many of us put priority on having fun first(its more fun in the philippines) and consequently, they put off decisions on more practical or serious matters until it is about to blow up. its hard to be serious when everyone just wants to have fun. its no surprise that the chinese immigrants in the philippines were able to leapfrog to riches as they knew where their priorities are. there is a lack of self-discipline and sacrifice. in fact president Marcos tried to address this with his administration's slogan of "sa ikaunlad ng bayan, disiplina ay kailangan", but it was a short-lived ningas cogon effort.

Edited by pachador, May 30 2013, 02:04 AM.
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Ayoshi
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Gazmin, Chinese envoy hold talks to ease tensions over Ayungin boat sightings
www.interaksyon.com
<snipped>
Quote:
 
In an ambush interview after meeting Gazmin, Beijing’s ambassador said her government is also looking for solutions to ease tensions over the Spratlys (South China Sea) dispute.

Ambassador Ma said, “We also talked about the balanced relations. I think China is ready to develop cooperation and very good exchanges between the two sides because this year is the year of friendly exchanges between our two countries. So we are ready to promote the cooperation and exchanges between the two countries.”

<snipped>
Quote:
 
Gazmin explained that the “cooperation” that the Chinese ambassador was talking about pertains to Ayungin.

[The] cooperation is in terms of not violating the verbal agreement to build new structures and we told them that our vessels that come to Ayungin are resupply of food and water provisions for our troops stationed there. We also told them we need to rotate our troops there from time to time,” he said.

Gazmin said China was in the area to “monitor our ships.” Beijing had suspected these to be delivering construction materials.


Full Article >>
Edited by Ayoshi, May 30 2013, 03:25 AM.
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gammy322
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Why would the Chinese monitors our ship since our ship is inside our EEZ??? So what if we bring construction materials for our troops stationed there? When will the AFP STAND on the BULLY??? :dunno:

Too many questions but without any capabilities of the AFP, there is nothing we can do.... :headbang:
Edited by gammy322, May 30 2013, 05:07 PM.
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Hong Nam
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gammy322
May 30 2013, 05:07 PM
Why would the Chinese monitors our ship since our ship is inside our EEZ??? So what if we bring construction materials for our troops stationed there? When will the AFP STAND on the BULLY??? :dunno:

Too many questions but without any capabilities of the AFP, there is nothing we can do.... :headbang:

Excellent point Mr. Gammy.


Mr AZKALS posted here:
http://s3.zetaboards.com/Defense_Philippines/single/?p=8068353&t=7629308 - Chinese foiled from occupying island...

Quote:
 
Philippine Activity on Ren'ai Reef Draws Chinese Caution

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/783645.shtml#.UZ-zm9Dn_Dc

The Philippines sent three military vessels on May 9 after spotting the Chinese ships.The source also told the Global Times that the Philippine vessels carried a large amount of construction materials to repair a worn-out warship that has been stranded there since May 9, 1999 due to an alleged leak at the bottom, adding that the country has been sending garrison soldiers to gain de facto control to the reef and refused to withdraw the ship.


Mr. Mackoyzzz posted here:
http://s3.zetaboards.com/Defense_Philippines/single/?p=8068773&t=7629943 - 2nd Thomas Shoal Standoff...

Quote:
 
Gazmin, Chinese envoy hold talks to ease tensions over Ayungin boat sightings
By: Jaime Sinapit, Interaksyon.com
May 29, 2013 5:20 PM


Gazmin said he assured Ambassador Ma no structures were being built, and that the boats were there to re-supply the Filipino soldiers assigned in the area.

For his part, the Navy Flag Officer in Command, Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano said they will not pull out the Marines from Ayungin.

"As far as we are concerned the re-provision will be going on to be able to sustain our people who are deployed in western Philippines," he said.

"[We have] to ensure that we will be able to provide the necessary facilities for the safety and habitation of our personnel, particularly [those] deployed in hazardous and difficult areas, and this is one of the things that we are trying to do."

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/62849/gazmin-chinese-envoy-hold-talks-to-ease-tensions-over-ayungin-boat-sightings


Put both together and see what could be going on.

A) Chinese sources report sighting ships loaded with construction materials.
B) No marine pull out.
C) Re-provisioning of the forces stationed.
D) Provide the necessary facilities for the safety and habitation of our personnel.

- What facilities? This can be just a lowly latrine, a concrete mooring dock or even something huge. It's a vague statement and can be twisted and bent to suit your plans.
E) Gazmin assured Ambassador Ma no structures were being built.
- "were being" - as in the past continuous tense. Doesn't say about what is going on now (as we speak), tomorrow, and next week. It doesn't even guarantee that nothing will be built.


Looks pretty straight forward does it? However, if you check the language used. You will see possible loopholes too. Besides, they (Chinese) did the same thing at Mischief Reef more than a decade ago. Didn't they say they were fishermen's shelters? Well, they are shelters which could be used for fishermen. So it isn't technically a lie. It's a half truth. Could explain why they seem worried.

Bottom line is... If this is indeed their plan. Do you think they will reveal their plans to the media, the general populace, China, and the whole world?

Or I could just be miles away from the truth. :headbang:



Learn and listen to all the facts before casting judgement. A lot more things go on in this world that we don't even know of or even expect. Give them the benefit of the doubt and see what comes. There has been too much ranting, whining, bitch'n and moaning (mind you it isn't Gammy322) :armyLol: in these forums lately. Yes! We understand you are frustrated. But you don't have the monopoly of being frustrated. The other guy feels just as pissed as you.

Be more positive and constructive. If you want to help, then remind your leaders on their duties, responsibilities and what they have to do.

Ranting here will not change anything, but will change other people's perception of you. I'm sure many people here really don't want to hear them and really care about how you feel, and what you think about your politicians and leaders.







Edited by Hong Nam, May 30 2013, 08:00 PM.

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Hong Nam
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http://www.ottomarine.com/accommodation.html

You can even moor something like this (even smaller) next to the Sierra Madre.


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pachador


as far as what the AFP is doing in the spratlys, theres a lot that is downplayed or not reported . there were things that happened in 1995 crisis that were not reported.

now as far as the pace of the modernization projects, that definitely needs urgency and speed.
Edited by pachador, May 31 2013, 03:01 AM.
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Andres Boning
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Why do they have to talk and explain to China regarding our actions, plans etc. in Ayungin shoal if it really is our territory???
Sila nga diba, ano ginawa nila sa Mischief reef? Military Fortress! Pero sabi at first, "fisherman shelter" kuno?!
They should stop playing or being idiots and just do what's right for the Country or forever suffer....

The Chinese are just baiting them in order to acknowledge their claim, pretty much the same story as to what happened to Scarborough shoal, "ay tanga!" Half wits!

Dapat, just tell them to get out of that area period, you are in Philippine territory!!!!!
Edited by Andres Boning, May 31 2013, 07:52 AM.
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