PCG says vessels 'have right to operate' in Escoda Shoal | ABS-CBN
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PCG says vessels 'have right to operate' in Escoda Shoal
PCG says vessels 'have right to operate' in Escoda Shoal
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 18, 2024 05:24 PM PHT
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Updated Aug 18, 2024 05:53 PM PHT
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This frame grab from handout video taken on February 8, 2024 and released by the Philippine Coast guard (PCG) on February 11, shows a Chinese coast guard vessel (front R) blocking and sailing past Philippine coast guard ship BRP Teresa Magbanua (back L) near Scarborough Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea. Handout/Philippine Coast Guard via AFP/File
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MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard needs no permission to stay and operate within the lagoon of Escoda Shoal as it is located within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone, said the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.
MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard needs no permission to stay and operate within the lagoon of Escoda Shoal as it is located within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone, said the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.
"Escoda Shoal is located within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral award," said Tarriela in a post on X [formerly Twitter].
"Escoda Shoal is located within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral award," said Tarriela in a post on X [formerly Twitter].
"Our Philippine Coast Guard vessels have the right to operate within the lagoon of Escoda Shoal for as long as necessary, without requiring permission from any other country," he stressed.
"Our Philippine Coast Guard vessels have the right to operate within the lagoon of Escoda Shoal for as long as necessary, without requiring permission from any other country," he stressed.
The statement is in reaction to China's move to lodge a protest over the presence of BRP Teresa Magbanua within the vicinity of the shoal. Beijing repeatedly claimed that "Xianbin Jiao" or the Escoda Shoal is part of their "Nansha Islands."
The statement is in reaction to China's move to lodge a protest over the presence of BRP Teresa Magbanua within the vicinity of the shoal. Beijing repeatedly claimed that "Xianbin Jiao" or the Escoda Shoal is part of their "Nansha Islands."
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Escoda Shoal or Sabina Shoal is a coral reef formation just roughly 70 nautical miles off Palawan mainland and is deep within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Escoda Shoal or Sabina Shoal is a coral reef formation just roughly 70 nautical miles off Palawan mainland and is deep within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
"The entry and prolonged stay of Philippine vessels in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao without authorization seriously infringes on China's sovereignty, violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," said China in state-controlled media Global Times News.
"The entry and prolonged stay of Philippine vessels in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao without authorization seriously infringes on China's sovereignty, violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," said China in state-controlled media Global Times News.
Tarriela belied China's claim, citing that it is Beijing that is undermining the stability in the region.
Tarriela belied China's claim, citing that it is Beijing that is undermining the stability in the region.
"China should stop citing the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, as they have not honored or followed a single provision of that declaration... They have been deploying their large Coast Guard vessels there, complemented by their numerous Chinese Maritime Militia. Additionally, they have deployed their naval assets in Escoda Shoal, and these actions undermine stability in these waters and contribute to escalating tensions," he said.
"China should stop citing the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, as they have not honored or followed a single provision of that declaration... They have been deploying their large Coast Guard vessels there, complemented by their numerous Chinese Maritime Militia. Additionally, they have deployed their naval assets in Escoda Shoal, and these actions undermine stability in these waters and contribute to escalating tensions," he said.
He added that the Philippine Coast Guard has been deployed there not to provoke or escalate tensions, but to protect and safeguard the country's sovereign rights, particularly against illegal poachers engaged in activities that damage the marine environment.
He added that the Philippine Coast Guard has been deployed there not to provoke or escalate tensions, but to protect and safeguard the country's sovereign rights, particularly against illegal poachers engaged in activities that damage the marine environment.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada also released a statement countering China's demand to withdraw BRP Teresa Magbanua from the shoal.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada also released a statement countering China's demand to withdraw BRP Teresa Magbanua from the shoal.
The Senate President Pro Tempore insisted there "there is no infringement of China’s territory in the Escoda Shoal."
The Senate President Pro Tempore insisted there "there is no infringement of China’s territory in the Escoda Shoal."
"The area where our Philippine Coast Guard vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua has been stationed for nearly four months now, falls within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as defined by international law. Therefore, there is no reason for us to withdraw our vessel which was anchored in response to suspected reclamation activities of China," he said.
"The area where our Philippine Coast Guard vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua has been stationed for nearly four months now, falls within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as defined by international law. Therefore, there is no reason for us to withdraw our vessel which was anchored in response to suspected reclamation activities of China," he said.
"I stand by our troops on this matter. Our sovereign rights over this particular area is non-negotiable and any attempts to challenge it are baseless. Atin ito at ipaglalaban natin ito."
"I stand by our troops on this matter. Our sovereign rights over this particular area is non-negotiable and any attempts to challenge it are baseless. Atin ito at ipaglalaban natin ito."
"Our claims are backed up by the 2016 arbitral court ruling which already invalidated China’s nine-dash line claims and upheld our EEZ rights in the West Philippine Sea. We urge China to respect these boundaries and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes."
"Our claims are backed up by the 2016 arbitral court ruling which already invalidated China’s nine-dash line claims and upheld our EEZ rights in the West Philippine Sea. We urge China to respect these boundaries and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes."
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Vatican reports on pope's condition are encouraging, says infectious disease specialist
Vatican reports on pope's condition are encouraging, says infectious disease specialist
Reuters
Published Feb 19, 2025 01:53 AM PHT
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Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.
Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.
Vatican reports on Pope Francis' health are encouraging, a leading Italian doctor said on Tuesday (February 18), after the Holy See said the pontiff had no fever, is eating, and can work.
Vatican reports on Pope Francis' health are encouraging, a leading Italian doctor said on Tuesday (February 18), after the Holy See said the pontiff had no fever, is eating, and can work.
The 88-year-old has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14.
The 88-year-old has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14.
Massimo Andreoni, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and scientific director of the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, said that to have a better idea of the response to treatment, it will be necessary to wait 24 or 48 hours.
Massimo Andreoni, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and scientific director of the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, said that to have a better idea of the response to treatment, it will be necessary to wait 24 or 48 hours.
The Vatican said on Monday (February 17) that doctors had changed the pope's drug therapy for the second time during his hospital stay to tackle a "complex clinical situation."
The Vatican said on Monday (February 17) that doctors had changed the pope's drug therapy for the second time during his hospital stay to tackle a "complex clinical situation."
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They described it as a "polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract."
They described it as a "polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract."
A polymicrobial infection is caused by two or more micro-organisms, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
A polymicrobial infection is caused by two or more micro-organisms, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Francis, who has been pontiff since 2013, has had influenza and other health problems several times over the past two years.
Francis, who has been pontiff since 2013, has had influenza and other health problems several times over the past two years.
As a young adult he developed pleurisy and had part of one lung removed, and in recent times has been prone to lung infections.
As a young adult he developed pleurisy and had part of one lung removed, and in recent times has been prone to lung infections.
(Production: Claudia Chieppa, Fabiano Franchitti, Oriana Boselli)
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