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A Philippine flagged boat is blocked by a China Coast Guard vessel during an incident that resulted in a collision between the two vessels, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in this screen grab obtained from handout video released October 22, 2023. China Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The Philippines repeated its call for China to stop "provocative actions", warning that its attempts to block Manila's resupply missions to a disputed atoll in the South China Sea could have "disastrous results". NSC's Malaya accused China of "increasing tensions" in the South China Sea and maintained it was China's actions that caused Sunday's collision. But we are concerned by the escalation and provocations by Chinese vessels who have no business being in the West Philippine Sea," Malaya said. Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz and Karen Lema; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jonathan Malaya, Thomas, Jay Tarriela, Enrico dela Cruz, Karen Lema, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: China Coast Guard, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, National Security Council, China's coastguard, coastguard, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Coast Guard, Thomson Locations: Philippine, South, Rights MANILA, Philippines, China, BRP Sierra, Manila, NSC's Malaya, West Philippine, Malaya

☆ Philippines Tells China to Stop Provocative Actions in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Enrico Dela Cruz and Karen LemaMANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines repeated its call for China to stop "provocative actions", warning that its attempts to block Manila's resupply missions to a disputed atoll in the South China Sea could have "disastrous results". The shoal is in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. It has also summoned the Chinese ambassador and has filed a diplomatic protest, its foreign ministry said. NSC's Malaya accused China of "increasing tensions" in the South China Sea and maintained it was China's actions that caused Sunday's collision. But we are concerned by the escalation and provocations by Chinese vessels who have no business being in the West Philippine Sea," Malaya said.

Persons: Enrico Dela Cruz, Karen Lema MANILA, Jonathan Malaya, Thomas, Jay Tarriela, Enrico dela Cruz, Karen Lema, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: National Security Council, China's coastguard, coastguard, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Coast Guard Locations: Philippines, China, South, Philippine, BRP Sierra, Manila, NSC's Malaya, West Philippine, Malaya

☆ China, Philippines trade accusations over collision in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The two countries have had numerous run-ins in areas of the South China Sea in recent months, especially the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands. The Pentagon said in May it would protect the Philippines if its coast guard came under attack "anywhere in the South China Sea". Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. "The provocative, irresponsible, and illegal action" of the Chinese coast guard vessel "imperilled the safety of the crew" of the Philippine boat, the task force said. "The Philippines behaviour seriously violates the international rules on avoiding collisions at sea and threatens the navigation safety of our vessels," the coast guard said.

Persons: Thomas Shoal, Erik De Castro, China's, Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Thomas, Ethan Wang, Bernard Orr, Enrico Dela Cruz, William Mallard Organizations: BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Navy, REUTERS, Manila, Manila's, Force, West Philippine, Washington, Pentagon, BRP Sierra, Thomson Locations: BRP Sierra, Philippine, Spratly, South, China, Philippines, Manila, Manila BEIJING, MANILA, South China, States, Beijing, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, China's

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, in his first remarks over the latest flare up, said the Philippines was upholding its rights to fish in its exclusive economic zone. China, which says Scarborough Shoal is its territory, has chided the United States for what it calls provocations in the region. Since cutting the floating barrier, the Philippines has observed less Chinese presence in the shoal, Tarriela said. There were three Chinese coastguard vessels and one maritime militia ship seen from an inspection flight on Thursday, versus seven Chinese vessels last week, Tarriela said. There were two Filipino vessels fishing in the shoal, but it remains a struggle to enter the lagoon, he added.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Ursula von der Leyen, Aaron Favila, Marcos, we're, Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, Enrico Dela Cruz, Neil Jerome Morales, Martin Petty, Mark Potter Organizations: coastguard, Philippine coastguard, Manila, Washington, Thomson Locations: Philippine, Manila, Philippines, China, shoal's, coastguard MANILA, Scarborough, Beijing, United States

☆ Philippines urges fishermen to keep up presence at China-held shoal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Neil Jerome Morales | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MANILA, Sept 27 (Reuters) - The coastguard of the Philippines urged the country's fishermen on Wednesday to keep operating at the disputed Scarborough Shoal and other sites in the South China Sea, pledging to step up patrols there despite an imposing Chinese presence. Philippine vessels were unable to maintain a constant presence but were committed to protecting the rights of fishermen inside the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), coastguard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said. China's response has been measured, with its foreign ministry advising Manila on Tuesday to avoid provocations and not cause trouble. Close to shipping lanes that transport an estimated $3.4 trillion of annual commerce, control of the shoal is strategic for Beijing, which claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. "The Scarborough Shoal is closer to the Philippines," said fisherman Pepito Fabros who had come ashore in the province of Zambales between trips to sea.

Persons: Jay Tarriela, Gilbert Teodoro, Tarriela, Pepito Fabros, Neil Jerome Morales, Adrian Portugal, Enrico dela Cruz, Martin Petty, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: coastguard, Beijing's, China's coastguard, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Scarborough, South China, Bajo de Masinloc, Philippine, China, Beijing, Manila, Hainan, United States, Zambales

☆ Philippines Removes Chinese Barrier at Disputed Shoal in 'Special Operation'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Enrico Dela CruzMANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines said on Monday it executed a "special operation" to remove a floating barrier installed by China at a prime fishing patch in the South China Sea, a move that could stoke tension after a years-long detente in Asia's most disputed waters. Hours after the national security adviser had vowed to take action, the Philippine coastguard said it had removed the floating cordon, at the behest of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his special task force on the South China Sea. Japan's government urged calm and said the South China Sea was central to regional stability. "Our country strongly opposes any conduct that heightens tension in the South China Sea," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a regular press conference. China on Monday said the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island, was "China's inherent territory", over which it had indisputable sovereignty.

Persons: Enrico Dela Cruz, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Rodrigo Duterte, Hirokazu Matsuno, Huangyan, Wang Wenbin, Enrico dela Cruz, Liz Lee, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty, Alex Richardson Organizations: stoke, coastguard, Philippine coastguard, Philippine, China, South China, Chinese coastguard Locations: Philippines, China, South China, Asia's, Scarborough, Philippine, Manila, Washington, Beijing, British, South, Hague, Tokyo

☆ Philippines to remove barrier placed by China in South China Sea - national security advisor
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese Coast Guard boats close to the floating barrier are pictured on September 20, 2023, near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, in this handout image released by the Philippine Coast Guard on September 24, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Philippines condemns China floating barrier near disputed shoalPhilippines says barrier violates Filipinos' fishing rightsMANILA, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The Philippines will take "all appropriate actions to cause the removal of barriers" in a disputed area of the South China Sea, the country's national security advisor said on Monday. "We condemn the installation of floating barriers by Chinese coast guard," national security adviser Eduardo Año said in a statement. China claims 90% of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. Tarriela said that according to Filipino fishermen, the Chinese coast guard usually installs such barriers when they monitor a large number of fishermen in the area, then remove it later.

Persons: Eduardo Año, Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, Enrico dela Cruz, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Guard, Philippine Coast Guard, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Scarborough, South China, Philippines, China, MANILA, People's Republic of China, Manila, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Beijing, Philippine, Bajo, Masinloc

☆ Philippines condemns Chinese 'floating barrier' in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Chinese Coast Guard boats close to the floating barrier are pictured on September 20, 2023, near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, in this handout image released by the Philippine Coast Guard on September 24, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The Philippines on Sunday accused China's coast guard of installing a "floating barrier" in a disputed area of the South China Sea, saying it prevented Filipinos from entering and fishing in the area. The barrier blocking fishermen from the shoal was depriving them of their fishing and livelihood activities", he said. China claims 90% of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. Three Chinese coast guard rigid-hull inflatable boats and a Chinese maritime militia service boat installed the barrier when the Philippine vessel arrived, he said.

Persons: China's, Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, Rodrigo Duterte, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Enrico Dela Cruz, William Mallard Organizations: Guard, Philippine Coast Guard, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, of Fisheries, Resources, Thomson Locations: Scarborough, South China, Rights MANILA, Philippines, Manila, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Beijing, Philippine, Bajo, Masinloc

☆ China's property crisis weighs on developing Asia's 2023 growth outlook - ADB
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Enrico Dela Cruz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Updating its regional economic outlook, the ADB trimmed its 2023 growth forecast for developing Asia to 4.7%, from 4.8% projected in July. But the growth forecast for next year for the grouping, which consists of 46 economies in the Asia-Pacific and excludes Japan, Australia and New Zealand, was revised slightly upwards to 4.8% from 4.7% previously. China's property crisis "poses a downside risk and could hold back regional growth," the ADB said in its report. The Manila-based lender maintained its 2024 growth forecasts for China and India at 4.5% and 6.7% respectively. While growth has so far been robust and inflation pressures are receding in developing Asia, Park said governments need to be vigilant against the many challenges the region faces, including food security.

Persons: Thomas Peter, Albert, Park, Enrico Dela Cruz, Mikhail Flores, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Asian Development Bank, ADB, East, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights MANILA, Asia, El, Pacific, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, India, Manila

Indonesia imported 53,864 metric tons of nickel ore in the first half of 2023, up from 22,503 tons for all of 2022, Indonesian trade data showed. But imports from the Philippines only started in May, and all arrived at Morowali port in a huge nickel processing park run partly by Chinese nickel giant Tsingshan Group, the Indonesian data showed. "But the ore is cheaper by comparison with domestic ore currently and so this will offset some of the rising costs," Mitchell said. The Philippines mined 360,000 tons of nickel in ore in 2022, or 11% of global supplies, according to INSG. Philippines 1.3% grade ore landed at China's Lianyun port surged 20.6% in the past month to $41 a ton, the highest since March, Mysteel data showed.

Persons: Antara, Aneka, Tsingshan, Wood Mackenzie, Andrew Mitchell, Mitchell, Mai Nguyen, Siyi Liu, Fransiska, Enrico dela Cruz, Dominique Patton, Kim Coghill Organizations: PT Vale Indonesia, REUTERS Acquire, Nickel, Tsingshan Group, Study, Imports, Thomson Locations: Sorowako, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Philippines, Jakarta, Morowali, China, China's, Hanoi, Beijing, Manila

☆ Super typhoon Saola threatens northern Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Tropical storm Saola has intensified into a super typhoon, the Philippine weather bureau said on Sunday, raising the possibility of heavy rain and powerful winds hitting important rice and corn growing areas in northern provinces. Heavy rainfall was expected later on Sunday and on Monday in the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Ilocos and the mountainous Cordillera region, raising the risk of flooding and landslides, the weather bureau said. Saola was also expected to affect provinces on the main Luzon island as well as the capital, Manila, over the next three days, it said. Last month, strong winds and rain lashed the northern Philippines as powerful typhoon Doksuri made landfall, causing rivers to overflow and leaving thousands without power. Saola was forecast to turn north on Monday and to make landfall over southern Taiwan late on Wednesday or early Thursday, the weather bureau said.

Persons: Saola, Doksuri, Enrico Dela Cruz, Robert Birsel Organizations: Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippine, Saola, Isabela province, Isabela , Cagayan, Ilocos, Cordillera, Manila, Philippines, China, Taiwan

☆ Philippines says China blocked, water-cannoned boat in S. China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China's coast guard countered that it had implemented necessary controls in accordance with the law to deter Philippine ships, which it accused of trespassing and carrying illegal building materials. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, an assertion rejected internationally, while Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines have various claims to certain areas. China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu responded that China has "indisputable" sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and their adjacent waters, including the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard said the Chinese actions violated laws including two international conventions and a ruling from a global tribunal. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague concluded in 2016 that Beijing's expansive claim to the South China Sea was groundless.

Persons: Carlos Dominguez, Gao Hucheng, Damir Sagolj, China's, Thomas, Gan Yu, Gan, Jay Tarriela, Enrico Dela Cruz, Ryan Woo, William Mallard Organizations: Philippine, China's, REUTERS, Armed Forces, China Coast Guard, Central Military Commission, Philippine Coast Guard, U.S . State Department, Washington, Coast Guard, Philippines Mutual Defense, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Philippine, MANILA, Philippines, South China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, Manila, Ayungin, Spratly, The Hague, South, United States

☆ Philippines seeks rice supply boost, may look to India
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I'm thinking about the national supply for rice," Marcos told officials in the northern province of Cagayan, where he went to assess the damage from Typhoon Doksuri. "Everybody is preparing for El Nino, all of Southeast Asia. " The Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, traditionally buys the staple grain mainly from its neighbour Vietnam. India last week banned exports of non-basmati white rice - its largest rice export category - to ease domestic prices that climbed after rains caused significant crop damage. "That's why I'm getting nervous over possible spikes in (local) prices even if we import."

Persons: Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Doksuri, Enrico Dela Cruz, Mayank Bhardwaj, William Mallard Organizations: El Nino, El, Thomson Locations: Vietnam, Philippines, MANILA, Philippine, India, El Nino, Cagayan, Southeast Asia, New Delhi, Thailand, Ukraine

☆ Thousands without power as typhoon Doksuri lashes Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, July 26 (Reuters) - Strong winds and rain lashed the northern Philippines as Typhoon Doksuri made landfall on Wednesday, causing rivers to overflow and leaving thousands without power. "We are being battered here," Manual Mamba, governor of northern Cagayan province told Reuters, adding that no casualties had been reported so far. Storm warnings are in place in many parts of the northern island of Luzon, which is home to about half of the Philippines' 110 million population. Categorised as a super typhoon on Tuesday, Doksuri had weakened slightly on Wednesday. It is expected to brush past Taiwan and make landfall in China's Fujian province on Friday, according to the Philippines weather bureau.

Persons: Doksuri, Karen Lema, Enrico dela Cruz, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Reuters, Authorities, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Taiwan, China, Cagayan province, Philippine, Luzon, China's Fujian

MANILA, July 24 (Reuters) - Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday touted his administration's successes over the past year, including battling inflation and steering the economy back on track, but said a number of economic challenges lie ahead. After more than a year in office, buffeted by soaring inflation that has dented economic growth, the government is now "stabilising the prices of all critical commodities", Marcos said. "Inflation rate is moving in the right direction," he said in his second state of the nation address. Developing the long-neglected farm sector, which contributes 10% of the country's economic output, is a priority for Marcos, who also helms the agriculture ministry. The Philippines remains vulnerable to global price shocks because it buys a sizeable portion of its rice overseas, and relies on imports for most of its fuel requirements.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, helms, Michael Ricafort, Enrico dela Cruz, Eloisa Lopez, Bernadette Baum, Mark Potter Organizations: Rizal Commercial Banking Corp, Asia's, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Philippine, Rizal, China, Manila, United States

Summary June annual inflation slowest since AprilRisks to inflation tilted to the upside - central bankSlower June inflation supports rate pause expectationsMANILA, July 5 (Reuters) - Philippine annual inflation eased for a fifth straight month in June, supporting expectations the central bank will keep rates unchanged for longer as food and transport cost pressures ease. The central bank, however, noted inflation risks remained tilted to the upside due to the potential impact of El Nino dry weather conditions and wage increases. Last month's inflation rate, which was below the 5.5% forecast in a Reuters poll, brought the year-to-date average to 7.2%. It next meets on Aug. 17 under newly appointed BSP Governor Eli Remolona, who took the helm of the central bank on July 3. ING Economist Nicholas Mapa said in a tweet that moderating price pressures give the central bank space to extend the pause and keep rates steady for now.

Persons: Eli Remolona, Nicholas Mapa, Karen Lema, Enrico Dela Cruz, Martin Petty, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: El, ng Pilipinas, ING, Thomson Locations: MANILA, El Nino

☆ Philippines agrees $1.14 bln loans with World Bank for environment, farming
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, June 26 (Reuters) - The Philippines on Monday said it had signed four loan agreements with the World Bank totalling $1.14 billion, including $750 million of budgetary support for policy reforms to boost environmental protection and climate resilience. The agreements also include $276 million of funding support for two projects aimed at developing the agriculture and fisheries sectors, and $110 million financing for improving education quality, according to the Philippines' finance department. The Southeast Asian country is looking to transform its long-neglected farm sector into an engine of growth. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who is also the agriculture minister, has vowed to undertake reforms to improve productivity of the sector, which in recent years accounted for about a tenth of gross domestic product. Reporting by Enrico Dela Cruz; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Enrico Dela Cruz, Martin Petty Organizations: World Bank, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines

☆ Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes northern Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, June 15 (Reuters) - An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck the Philippines' main island on Thursday, authorities said, halting some railway operations in the capital Manila. No casualties or major damage were reported after the quake, which struck out at sea at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) and was felt in nearby provinces, the Philippine seismology agency said. Operations of the three elevated railway lines in Manila were stopped due to the earthquake, the transport ministry said. The seismology agency initially recorded a magnitude 6.2 earthquake, but later revised it to 6.3. Reporting by Jahnavi Nidumolu in Bengaluru, Enrico Dela Cruz and Neil Jerome Morales in Manila; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Peter Oliver Palacio, Jahnavi, Enrico Dela Cruz, Neil Jerome Morales, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Railways, GMA, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Manila, Philippine, Calatagan, Bengaluru

☆ Philippine court denies bail for top Duterte critic in drug case
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"Sad to inform you that the court denied Senator Leila's bail application," Filibon Tacardon, her legal counsel, told reporters. De Lima, 63, had requested bail in connection with a case in which she has been accused of conspiring to illegally trade narcotics in prison. She has denied all charges and had sought bail on account of her age and "several health issues". The court said her request was "untenable" and her culpability or innocence would be decided on the basis of evidence presented. A court in 2021 dismissed a drug case against her while another court in May acquitted her of a charge that she received drug money from prison inmates.

Persons: De Lima, De, Leila de Lima, Rodrigo Duterte's, Leila's, Duterte, Neil Jerome Morales, Enrico Dela Cruz, Kanupriya Kapoor, Robert Birsel Organizations: Thomson Locations: De Lima, MANILA

☆ Philippines' finance minister says no reason for rate hike
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA, May 15 (Reuters) - The Philippine central bank has no reason to raise interest rates further as domestic inflation is easing, the country's finance minister said ahead of a May 18 monetary policy meeting. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno reiterated his stance against a rate hike when he spoke to reporters. "I'm for a pause, that's my opinion. "So over all, there's no reason why we should increase the rates." Some economists believe the inflation downtrend and cooling economic growth have built the case for the BSP to pause in its tightening cycle.

[1/3] Edwin Gariguez, a Catholic priest from the Philippines, who is touring top European banks on environmental issues, is pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, May 10, 2023. "It's really frustrating on my part," Gariguez said on a stopover in Frankfurt after meetings with Deutsche Bank and DWS (DWSG.DE). Barclays and San Miguel didn't respond. On its website, San Miguel says: "As sustainability champions, we hold ourselves accountable." The nation's Department of Energy sees LNG as a "transition fuel", as it moves away from coal-fired power generation toward more renewable energy.

☆ Philippines' Q1 GDP slows to 6.4%, beats forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MANILA, May 11 (Reuters) - The Philippine economy expanded 6.4% in the first quarter from a year earlier, the statistics agency said on Thursday, weaker than the previous quarter's downwardly revised 7.1% growth. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected first quarter gross domestic product (GDP) to grow 6.1% on an annual basis. Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Enrico dela Cruz; Writing by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Joint Philippines-U.S. patrols in South China Sea may begin by third quarter - envoy
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA, May 8 (Reuters) - Joint patrols between the Philippines and the United States in the South China Sea may begin later this year, a top diplomat said on Monday, just days after Washington clarified its commitment to defend Manila from an attack at sea. Discussions were continuing on the joint maritime patrols, which were announced in February, said Philippine ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced in February he and his Philippine counterpart, Carlito Galvez, have agreed to restart joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea, which former President Rodrigo Duterte, who sought warmer ties with China, had suspended after he took office in 2016. But Philippine Defense Secretary Galvez told reporters on Monday there were no formal discussions on the joint patrols with the United States and Australia. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $3 trillion of world trade is shipped every year.

☆ Philippines, China to discuss fishing rights in South China Sea - Marcos
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA, May 1 (Reuters) - Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said China has agreed to discuss fishing rights in the South China Sea, as he pushed for a "direct communication line" with Beijing on maritime differences. China has agreed to "sit down" and talk about Filipinos' fishing rights in the South China Sea, Marcos said, adding he has asked the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Foreign Affairs "to put together...a map of these fishing grounds" that will be presented to Beijing. The Philippines accused China's coast guard on Friday of "aggressive tactics" following a recent incident during a Philippine coast guard patrol close to the Philippines-held Second Thomas Shoal, a flashpoint for previous altercations located 105 nautical miles (195 km) off its coast. The United States has urged China to stop harassing Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, while Beijing said it was willing to handle maritime differences with countries of concern through friendly consultations, while warning Washington against interference. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, with a "nine-dash line" on maps that stretches more than 1,500 km (930 miles) off its mainland and cuts into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

However, confusing the picture core inflation accelerated to 8.0% in March from February's 7.8%, the fastest pace since 1999. Nicholas Mapa, an economist at ING bank, said a sustained downtrend in inflation could make the BSP consider hitting the pause button on its most aggressive interest rate hiking cycle for years. "Today's inflation reading could be one additional data point that could convince Governor Medalla that inflation is finally moderating," Mapa told Reuters. "We expect inflation to moderate further in April which could open up the door for a BSP pause at the May meeting." Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, who is one of the seven members of the central bank's policy making monetary board, said on Tuesday, the central bank has probably done enough to address inflation.

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