West PH Sea concerns to be raised in China-PH bilateral meeting: Manalo | ABS-CBN
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West PH Sea concerns to be raised in China-PH bilateral meeting: Manalo
China Coast Guard 5901, or the "Monster Ship," off the coast of Zambales on January 5, 2025. Handout/Philippine Coast Guard
China Coast Guard 5901, or the "Monster Ship," off the coast of Zambales on January 5, 2025. Handout/Philippine Coast GuardMANILA -- Several concerns in the West Philippines Sea are expected to be raised in the upcoming Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) between the Philippines and China on Thursday, January 16.
MANILA -- Several concerns in the West Philippines Sea are expected to be raised in the upcoming Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) between the Philippines and China on Thursday, January 16.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the meeting will discuss the recent developments in the region.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the meeting will discuss the recent developments in the region.
Manalo did not explicitly affirm if the issues to be raised include China's "monster ship" near Zambales.
Manalo did not explicitly affirm if the issues to be raised include China's "monster ship" near Zambales.
However, he said ongoing developments in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea are usually discussed in the meeting.
However, he said ongoing developments in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea are usually discussed in the meeting.
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"Those are what is normally discussed in the bilateral consultation, especially recent developments or ongoing developments. But as I said, I am not there at the moment. So let's just wait for the results of the meeting," he told reporters in an ambush interview on the sidelines of his bilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi during his official visit to the Philippines on Wednesday.
"Those are what is normally discussed in the bilateral consultation, especially recent developments or ongoing developments. But as I said, I am not there at the moment. So let's just wait for the results of the meeting," he told reporters in an ambush interview on the sidelines of his bilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi during his official visit to the Philippines on Wednesday.
When asked if the Philippines will demand China to pull out its "monster ship", Manalo said the Philippines "will certainly raise the concerns we have."
When asked if the Philippines will demand China to pull out its "monster ship", Manalo said the Philippines "will certainly raise the concerns we have."
The "monster ship," or China Coast Guard vessel 5901, was located 77 nautical miles west of Capones Island in Zambales on Tuesday morning.
The "monster ship," or China Coast Guard vessel 5901, was located 77 nautical miles west of Capones Island in Zambales on Tuesday morning.
The Philippines has called China's deployment of its largest coast guard vessel inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone a "provocative act."
The Philippines has called China's deployment of its largest coast guard vessel inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone a "provocative act."
Aside from pressing issues, the DFA chief noted that other areas of cooperation are also expected to be tackled including possible cooperation between the coast guards of the Philippines and China.
Aside from pressing issues, the DFA chief noted that other areas of cooperation are also expected to be tackled including possible cooperation between the coast guards of the Philippines and China.
"Well, we hope to establish means of cooperation and undertaking, let's say, positive activities. But that will have to be agreed in any memorandum of understanding between the two. But it's cooperative in nature, of course," Manalo added.
"Well, we hope to establish means of cooperation and undertaking, let's say, positive activities. But that will have to be agreed in any memorandum of understanding between the two. But it's cooperative in nature, of course," Manalo added.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and her delegation are now in Xiamen for preliminary talks today and for the consultative meeting on Thursday with her counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and her delegation are now in Xiamen for preliminary talks today and for the consultative meeting on Thursday with her counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong.
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Philippines
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Enrique Manalo
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