20 Nobyembre,2024 Miyerkules
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
Malaysia hit new Ph maritime laws
By Nidz Godino
New maritime laws in the Philippines has been protested by Malaysia it says encroach on its territory.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin said Malaysia sent protest note on Thursday over Philippine laws.
Experts have found that reference documents related to laws restated Manila’s long-standing claim over oil-rich Malaysian state of Sabah in northern Borneo, he said.
Last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, reaffirmed country’s maritime territories and right to resources, including in South China Sea.
They further cement Manila’s rejection of Chinese claims to virtually entire South China Sea and stipulate jail terms and stiff fines for violators. Laws have also angered China.
Philippines, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan all claim parts of South China Sea.
Confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the sea have surged since last year, sparking fears that United States – Manila’s longtime treaty ally – might get drawn into major conflict.
Mohamad Alamin was quoted by local media saying in Parliament on Thursday that new Philippine laws extend its claims into Malaysian boundaries mapped out in 1979 that were internationally recognized. He said protest note demonstrated Malaysia’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.
Sabah, two hours away by boat from southern Philippines, and neighboring Sarawak on Borneo became part of Malaysia in 1963.
Philippines has long laid claims to Sabah, once part of centuries-old sultanate of Sulu.
Despite possible diplomatic row, Philippines and Malaysia concluded their 11th Combined Defense Cooperation Committee (CCDC) meeting, with commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations as nations with shared interests.
Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino and his team welcomed Malaysia Ministry of Defense Deputy Secretary General Mohd Yani bin Daud and his delegation to Camp Aguinaldo on Friday, where two sides had discussions centering on enhancing defense cooperation, addressing regional issues and strengthening defense capabilities of both nations.
DND spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong said Malaysian delegation reiterated productive outcomes of CCDC meeting, where developments in South China Sea situation were discussed.
Other key topics in CCDC meeting were Philippines-Malaysia diplomatic relations, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and advancing defense cooperation.
Notably, discussions highlighted finalization of terms of reference for proposed Defense Science and Industry Working Group, aims to formalize collaboration in defense technology and industry.
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