Chinese vessels likely to stay near Pag-asa Island, says Esperon China will likely continue “occupying space” in the West Philippine Sea by deploying what appear to be fishing vessels near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr said on Tuesday, March 3. PH mission to UN asserts tribunal ruling junking China’s nine-dash line claims in South China Sea The Philippines has quietly put forward to the United Nations an international tribunal ruling which found no basis for China’s claim to virtually the entire South China Sea but which the Duterte administration has set aside Philippines opposes Malaysia, China…

Trump-Trọng Summit Remains in Limbo With repeated Chinese intrusions into oil-rich Vanguard Bank and anticipated departure of ExxonMobil from the Blue Whale project, the South China Sea dispute has reached a turning point. A planned meeting between presidents Donald Trump and Nguyễn Phú Trọng could be pivotal for a strategic partnership, but is unlikely to happen any time soon. South China Sea: Malaysia risks infuriating Beijing as it presses ahead with UN complaint MALAYSIA insists it will press ahead with its claim in the disputed South China Sea despite Beijing’s anger at its decision to involve the United Nations in…

‘Joint oil exploration in WPS to tie PHL’s hands’ AN expert at a leading American think tank said the Philippines’s assertion of sovereignty will be impaired if it actively participates in a joint exploration for oil and gas in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). South China Sea likely to be high on Asean agenda when Vietnam takes the chair Territorial disputes over the resource-rich South China Sea are expected to feature prominently in engagements between China and Asean next year as Vietnam prepares to take over as chairman of the regional body. ASEAN members optimistic about 2021 target…

The July 12 ruling exposed China’s strategy Exactly a year ago, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was invoked to mediate in the brewing dispute between the Philippines and China over conflicting maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea. Defying all expectations, Manila won a near unanimous victory, scoring in 14 out of its 15 claims against Beijing. Think tank urges Philippines to challenge China’s moves vs int’l order The Philippines should continue its business engagement with China but should also contest their stunts against international law, a Tokyo-based think tank said on Wednesday. How to enforce the PCA ruling…

Philippine Supreme Court reiterates that non-signatories cannot invoke arbitration clauses In the recent case of Stronghold Insurance Company, Inc. v Spouses Rune and Lea Stroem (“Stronghold”),the Philippine Supreme Court held that a non-party to a construction agreement cannot invoke the arbitration clause therein