File photoon datedA4) July 27, 2016 shows President Duterte during a National Security Council meeting attended by four former presidents (Story including (from left) Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Fidel V. Ramos and Benigno Aquino III. Presidential Spokesman Harry
‘BLATANT DESTAB ATTEMPTS PART OF BAGONG PILIPINAS BIRTH PAINS’
NEWS / A2
Roque says Malacanang is inclined to ask the four ex-presidents to attend a meeting on issues besetting the West Philippine Sea. NSC file
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VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 93 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES MAY 19, 2024
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MARCOS TO PMA GRADS: STAND UP VS. INTRUDERS PRESIDENT VOWS PH TO ‘VIGOROUSLY DEFEND WHAT IS OURS’ By Charles Dantes
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HE Philippines will “vigorously defend what is ours,” President Marcos said on Saturday, as Manila’s maritime row with Beijing over the West Philippine Sea escalates. The President likewise ordered graduates of the Philippine Military Academy to “keep our people safe in their homes, our territory secure, our defenses against threats strong, and our democracy stable.” “Against intruders who have been disrespecting our territorial integrity, we will vigorously defend what is ours,” Mr. Marcos said in his speech that came on the heels of media reports saying that Beijing has issued a regulation empowering its coast guard to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea. He said the PMA “Bagong Sinag” Class of 2024 graduates have answered the call “to serve at a crucial time” in the country’s history. “What we are facing now is a blatant disregard of internationally accepted principles and deployment of weapons of mass destruction by parties who seek to drive a wedge between a united citizenry. But people are not fooled. They can see through such schemes,” Mr. Marcos said. His remarks follow a series of incidents involving Philippine and Chinese vessels near disputed reefs in the South China Sea that have strained diplomatic ties. In a report published by the South China Morning Post on Thursday, the China Coast Guard warned that under the new regulation that will take effect in June, they can detain trespassers in the South China Sea without trial. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela immediately denounced China’s directive, calling it “illegal.”
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. President Marcos troops the line during the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City on Saturday, May 18, 2024. PPA Pool
TORRES REPLACES CARLOS AS WESCOM COMMANDER NEWS | A3
CONGRESS LEADERS DENOUNCE CHINA’S ORDER TO ARREST FOREIGNERS IN SCS By Maricel Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta CONGRESS leaders have denounced China’s order to arrest foreign nationals in the South China Sea, which covers the West Philippine Sea and parts of the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. “There will be a problem. Allies and claimants will react. I think there will be complications here in the whole setup,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said, warning of a “deterioration of peace and order” in the area. “China’s aggressive pronouncements are a blatant escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea. These unilateral actions flagrantly violate international law and the established norms that guide the Philippines and other law-abiding nations with claims in the South China Sea,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said. In a report published by the South China Morning Post on Thursday, the China Coast Guard said a new regulation has been issued that authorizes the arrest of “foreigners” in the disputed maritime territories, including the South China Sea, beginning June. “Foreigners suspected of illegally passing China’s borders can be held for up to 60 days,” the newspaper reported. Romualdez said China must respect international rulings and act as a responsible member of the global community, rather than imposing its own laws unilaterally and bullying other nations. “The House of the Filipino People will not tolerate any arrests of our citizens or fishermen within our own Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). We will fiercely defend our sovereignty and ensure the safety and rights of our people,” he said. Zubiri said China’s new threats are clear violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), particularly on the freedom of navigation.
LA NIÑA’S RAIN DANCE: MORE STORMS ARRIVING By Rio N. Araja and Othel Campos
FLOOD PREPAREDNESS. Manila Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) personnel prepare first response equipment after the Interior department directed local governments to brace for the potential impacts of the upcoming La Niña phenomenon. Norman Cruz
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THE La Niña phenomenon is expected to arrive in July, and could continue until August or September amid the lingering effect of the weak El Niño episode, the state weather bureau PAGASA said. “While we experienced much higher temperatures in the past two weeks of April and first week of May, at least there will be a lowering of temperatures in the coming days,” Analiza Solis, PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief told Manila Standard. There is a 69 percent probability of La Niña occurrence in the third
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quarter of this year, with the onset of the rainy season between the last week of May and June. Solis said the government is now crafting a national action plan to ensure proper interventions are in place as the country transitions from El Niño to La Niña. She said 16 storms may likely enter the Philippine area of responsibility by the latter half of the year, higher than last year’s 11 tropical cyclones due to the El Niño phenomenon. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, for its part, called for proactive adaptation of flood prevention measures. Environment Usec. Carlos Primo Da-
vid highlighted an immediate challenge – a 40 percent decrease in rain projected for May and June, followed by an average July and above-average rainfall expected in August and September. “July will be the transition month and August and September will be when we will experience higher than average rain,” he said. “While the DENR Water Resources Management Office coordinates all water projects, the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) remains the lead for flood mitigation. The national government has provided sufficient funds and 66 flood prone rivers have masterplans,” he added.
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