China's detention policy for 'trespassers' part of 'scare tactics' — security exec
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China's detention policy for 'trespassers' part of 'scare tactics' — security exec
MANILA — China’s new policy of detaining individuals it sees as “trespassers” in the South China Sea is just part Beijing’s “scare tactics,” an official from the National Security Council said on Monday.
MANILA — China’s new policy of detaining individuals it sees as “trespassers” in the South China Sea is just part Beijing’s “scare tactics,” an official from the National Security Council said on Monday.
While the policy — which is expected to take effect in June — is “provocative and escalatory,” officials are urging fisherfolk “not to be intimidated” by the pronouncement, said NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya.
While the policy — which is expected to take effect in June — is “provocative and escalatory,” officials are urging fisherfolk “not to be intimidated” by the pronouncement, said NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya.
“We consider this as provocative and escalatory kasi parang tinatakot nila yung ating mga mangingisda na pumalaot kasi puwede na daw nilang artestuhin at idetine,” he told state television PTV.
“We consider this as provocative and escalatory kasi parang tinatakot nila yung ating mga mangingisda na pumalaot kasi puwede na daw nilang artestuhin at idetine,” he told state television PTV.
“Sa tingin ko, parte lang ito ng scare tactics ng Tsina. Wag po tayo magpapaintimidate, wag tayo magpapatalo diyan. Tuloy-tuloy lang yung pangingisda natin diyan,” he said.
“Sa tingin ko, parte lang ito ng scare tactics ng Tsina. Wag po tayo magpapaintimidate, wag tayo magpapatalo diyan. Tuloy-tuloy lang yung pangingisda natin diyan,” he said.
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(We consider this as provocative and escalatory because it seems that they are warning fisherfolk against sailing because there is the possibility of either arrest or detention. I think this is just part of China’s scare tactics. Do not be intimidated, do not be deterred. Continue fishing in those waters.)
(We consider this as provocative and escalatory because it seems that they are warning fisherfolk against sailing because there is the possibility of either arrest or detention. I think this is just part of China’s scare tactics. Do not be intimidated, do not be deterred. Continue fishing in those waters.)
Malay underscored that China had given its Coast Guard similar powers and authority in 2021, but was not implemented across the strategic waterways.
Malay underscored that China had given its Coast Guard similar powers and authority in 2021, but was not implemented across the strategic waterways.
“Ayaw natin na bigyan ito ng pansin dahil alam natin na scare tactics ito. The moment na we raise this with the Chinese authorities, it is a sort of recognition or acquiescence,” he said.
“Ayaw natin na bigyan ito ng pansin dahil alam natin na scare tactics ito. The moment na we raise this with the Chinese authorities, it is a sort of recognition or acquiescence,” he said.
“This is an empty threat on the part of China, but just in case, nag-utos na ang ating Pangulo… na paigtingin yung presensya. Kumbaga sa lungsod, police visibility, greater presence para kung may ganitong incidents ay may matatawagan sila,” he said.
“This is an empty threat on the part of China, but just in case, nag-utos na ang ating Pangulo… na paigtingin yung presensya. Kumbaga sa lungsod, police visibility, greater presence para kung may ganitong incidents ay may matatawagan sila,” he said.
(We don’t want to give this too much attention because we know that this is just scare tactics. The moment na we raise this with the Chinese authorities, it is a sort of recognition or acquiescence. This is an empty threat on the part of China, but just in case, our President has already ordered an increased presence in the area so that Filipinos can call on somebody in case of any incident.)
(We don’t want to give this too much attention because we know that this is just scare tactics. The moment na we raise this with the Chinese authorities, it is a sort of recognition or acquiescence. This is an empty threat on the part of China, but just in case, our President has already ordered an increased presence in the area so that Filipinos can call on somebody in case of any incident.)
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Other governments in the region are also concerned about China’s new policy as it also affects other nations around the South China Sea, including Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan, Malaya said.
Other governments in the region are also concerned about China’s new policy as it also affects other nations around the South China Sea, including Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan, Malaya said.
“I-assert natin yung supremacy ng international law because that is the only way we can have a rules-based order,” he said.
“I-assert natin yung supremacy ng international law because that is the only way we can have a rules-based order,” he said.
(We should continue to assert the supremacy of international law because that is the only way we can have a rules-based order.)
(We should continue to assert the supremacy of international law because that is the only way we can have a rules-based order.)
China announced the new policy after Filipino civilians sailed in the West Philippine Sea to distribute fuel and food to fisherfolk staying in waters deemed as traditional fishing grounds.
China announced the new policy after Filipino civilians sailed in the West Philippine Sea to distribute fuel and food to fisherfolk staying in waters deemed as traditional fishing grounds.
The latest development in the South China Sea comes as heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing continue
with Asia’s largest economy snubbing an international arbitral ruling that invalidated its claim in the strategic waterway in 2016.
The latest development in the South China Sea comes as heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing continue
with Asia’s largest economy snubbing an international arbitral ruling that invalidated its claim in the strategic waterway in 2016.
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