Asian-News.net is your go-to online destination for comprehensive coverage of major news across Asia. From politics and business to culture and technology, we bring you the latest updates, deep analyses, and critical insights from every corner of the continent. Featuring exclusive interviews, high-quality photos, and engaging videos, we keep you informed on the breaking news and significant events shaping Asia. Stay connected with us to get a 24/7 update on the most important stories and trends. Our daily updates ensure that you never miss a beat on the happenings in Asia's diverse nations. Whether it's a political shift in China, economic development in India, technological advancements in Japan, or cultural events in Southeast Asia, Asian-News.net has it covered. Dive into the world of Asian news with us and stay ahead in understanding this dynamic and vibrant region.
The 165-metre Chinese coastguard vessel with bow number 5901, nicknamed “The Monster”, was seen on Friday 93km (50 nautical miles) off the Scarborough Shoal, a highly contested maritime feature, accompanied by another 102-metre long coastguard ship. Beijing refers to the shoal as Huangyan Island while Manila has named it Panatag Shoal.
The Philippine coastguard said the satellite system, launched after Manila and Ottawa signed a memorandum of understanding last year, had boosted the Philippines’ ability to track China’s activities and was key in safeguarding Manila’s maritime domain even as adversarial vessels turned off their location-transmitting devices.
“We urge the [People’s Republic of China] to cease harassment of Philippine vessels lawfully operating in the Philippine exclusive economic zone,” the envoy added, stressing Manila’s “sovereign rights” and “freedoms of navigation” in the South China Sea for all ships.
Analysts warn that Manila must demonstrate unity between its defence and political leadership in order to effectively counter Beijing’s assertiveness in the South China Sea.
On Monday, a regional court in Muntinlupa City granted the former Philippine human rights commissioner’s motion to dismiss her third and final conspiracy to commit drug charge due to the prosecution being unable to provide enough evidence to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Manila and Beijing have been locked in a months-long territorial row in the South China Sea. China’s coastguard also reportedly seized two lifeboats from the Philippine vessel.
Military public affairs chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement that the four ships, including two People’s Liberation Army Navy destroyers, a frigate and a replenishment oiler, were spotted on Wednesday afternoon in the Balabac Strait off Palawan island.
The proposal is among several suggestions by Antonio Carpio, a former Supreme Court judge, following one of the most controversial clashes between Manila and Beijing in the Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine troops are stationed on a grounded vessel in the disputed waters.
The Philippine military has accused China of “intentional high-speed ramming” in the incident on Monday, in which eight Filipino sailors were injured and one suffered a severed thumb. China’s coastguard also reportedly seized two lifeboats used for the resupply missions from the Philippine vessel.