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IN MET R MANILAO
VOL. XXXVII • NO. 179 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES AUGUST 13, 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
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AFTER WATER CANNON ATTACKS
BEIJING NOW SEEKS CALM
AUSSIE PREMIER COMING TO TALK DEFENSE WITH PH NEWS | A2
CHINA COAST GUARD SHOULD ‘BEHAVE’ IN WPS, AFP WARNS By Charles Dantes
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HINA is now preaching calm and urging the Philippines to engage it in new discussions over issues in the West Philippine Sea after tensions were inflamed following a new water-cannon attack of its coast guard against local ships on a resupply mission to a PH military outpost at Ayungin Shoal. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is currently touring Singapore and Malaysia, on Saturday said Manila should work with Beijing “to seek an effective way to defuse tensions in the South China Sea,” the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday. In another report, diplomatic sources told CNN Philippines that China “has taken note of the strong statements of Philippine officials” after the water cannon incident near Ayungin Shoal last Aug. 5. Chinese officials also submitted a “concept paper” that indicates the
“internal understanding” of the two countries in handling the WPS issue, the CNN report added. But the Armed Forces of the Philippines warned the China Coast Guard operating in the West Philippine Sea to “behave” and that Beijing would be blamed for “all the consequences that would arise” from hostile acts in the area. The Philippines is ready to defend its position should China resort to forcefully removing the BRP Sierra Madre moored at Ayungin Shoal, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said.
He clarified that while such a scenario is purely “speculative,” the Philippine military “of course, we will resist.” Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela also said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City that if the AFP request them “to provide escort, we will deploy vessels that will support the supply mission.” Tarriela said PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu “is willing to deploy additional vessels to support the resupply mission, and if it need be to deploy a 97-meter vessel that would also be an option.” China has repeatedly expressed its willingness to resolve differences with the Philippines through bilateral dialogue, hoping that Manila would abide by a consensus reached in the past, Xinhua reported Wang as saying. China said its position on Ayungin Shoal, or Second Thomas Shoal, remains clear and consistent. “We urge the Philippines to stop unilateral actions pending any agreement,” the CNN source added.
Prof. Renato de Castro, a political analyst from De La Salle University, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has raised the country’s preparations for the ongoing tensions in the WPS. Castro hailed the President’s whole-of-nation approach in dealing with external threats, but to develop a stronger maritime capability, the administration should build up the AFP and PCG, and encourage more local shipbuilding. In the same forum in QC, another political analyst said the Philippines should pursue a peaceful way to resolve its territorial dispute with China. Dr. Froilan Calilung, University of Santo Tomas political science professor, said that with the current situation in the WPS, an actual shooting war might be imminent. The US, Canada, Japan, and Australia—all treaty allies of the Philippines—and the European Union have decried the event, restating their support for the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines.
METRO MANILA’S LEADING LADIES LGU | A7
STREET BASKETBALL LIKE NO OTHER AT NIKE’S THE COURTYARD IN BGC SPORTS | A5
EMPOWERING TRENDS AND SELF-EXPRESSION YOUNG LIFE | A8
GET TOUGHER, USE IRON FIST ON COPS, VACC URGES PBBM
CORNY MOVES. Student dancers strut their moves in the street dance competition of the Mammangi Festival, which coincides with the 11th Cityhood Anniversary of Ilagan, Isabela, also known as the Corn Capital of the Philippines. Teddy Pelaez
MARCOS OKAYS 5-YEAR NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the National Security Policy (NSP) 2023-2028 to harmonize government efforts and make the Philippines a “free, united, secure, peaceful, resilient and prosperous” nation, amid heightened tensions with China over the West Philippine Sea. Under Executive Order (EO) 37 signed by Mr. Marcos on Aug. 10, all national government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), are directed to adopt the NSP 2023-2028 in forming and implementing their securityrelated strategies and programs.
Local government units (LGUs) are encouraged to adopt the national security policy, which pushes for the country to have an independent foreign policy. EO 37, which was made public on Saturday, takes effect immediately upon publication In the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. “To ensure the successful implementation of the NSP 2023-2028, there is a need to align all national security-related strategies, as well as the plans and programs of all national government agencies,” the EO read.
EO 37 designates the National Security Council (NSC) Secretariat, whenever necessary, to provide technical assistance and support to government agencies and other entities in forming policies and strategies affecting national security. The National Security Adviser is also mandated to conduct a periodic assessment and submit reports to the President and the NSC on the execution of the NSP. The five-year plan was formulated to provide guidance and a comprehensive approach to improve security sector governance and address national security challenges in coordination and consulta-
tion with key government agencies and instrumentalities, with the participation of various stakeholders. The President’s approval is aimed at ensuring that national security efforts are responsive and complementary to the development goals and objectives set in the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028. The funding requirements for the implementation of EO 37 will becharged against current and available appropriations of concerned agencies, subject to pertinent budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules, and regulations. Charles Dantes
GET tougher on the national police and use an iron fist to keep cops in line, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption told President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday. This would create a “fear factor” against rogue policemen, especially those involved in cases of impunity and possible brutality, VACC President Arsenio “Boy” Evangelista said in a press conference. He lamented that cops were involved in drug cases and other crimes, saying they were able to “reclaim the streets” of Metro Manila. Evangelista also condemned the killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar in Navotas City by local policemen in an apparent case of mistaken identity. “It is perhaps about time that (the President) BBM should [be] hands-on from time-to-time or most of the time. He should be visible on national TV (castigating cops), showing ‘kamay na bakal’ (iron fist), and delivering a severe message to policemen,” he added in a radio interview. “During the time of [former President Rodrigo] Duterte, we saw that cops straightened up, if they weren’t frightened into obeying. There was a climate of fear among the uniformed personnel,” said Evangelista. This was not the first time that public sectors and officials urged Marcos to be angrier when people in his government show lapses in their duty. The Palace has yet to comment on the matter at press time.