WOW for the month of June- "Asia Pacific Stability Depends On Success Of ASEAN Code Of Conduct"- John Kerry

by: desertknightfm-Rhojel

Before this code of conduct was created, sixty four souls were taken by PRC leaders who believes that all territorial claims can be solved by means of deception, force, and threats. This event which I am referring to was known as The Jhonson South Reef Massacred which happened on March 14, 1988.
The footage below shows how Chinese navy fired their powerful machine gun to a defenseless Vietnamese soldiers while encircling their flag to support and defend their sovereignty.

All warfare is based on deception ~ Sun Tzu

To maintain peace and stability over the disputed waters the ASEAN leaders agreed and signed a declaration on the conduct of parties in the south China Sea and China is among the signatories of this code of conduct.

But China took advantages of this agreement and deceived all claimants, after demilitarisation of all disputed parts of South China Sea, they erected structures and make artificial island in Jhonson South (Mabini) reef. The Philippine has speculated that this artificial island will be used by PRC as an airstrip for their military base.

China again used their deception tactics by altering the nature of (Mabini reef's) land feature so that the status quo is being changed and trying to redefine the reef as an island in order to bolster its claims of sovereignty over surrounding waters.

Under the terms of the UN Convention of the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), a feature that is defined as an island contains a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Thus, a state possessing sovereignty over an island can claim the EEZ it generates. By contrast smaller features like a reef or rocks do not have EEZ, according to UNCLOS.

These actions are considered destabilizing and in violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and international law.

China Soldier Guarding The Reclamation Area done in disputed part (Mabini Reef) of West Philippine Sea.

Because Mabini reef is a part of Kalayaan Island located west of Palawan and it is situated in the West Philippine Sea, a Filipino living on this island are at stake once the reclamation on the Jhonson reef turn into a complete military base.

Asia Pacific Stability and Peace can be easily attained if all leaders of the nation involved in the disputed part of South China sea will talk and honor their words for peace and welfare of humanity. The Great Architect Of The Universe created the South China Sea not for China to own but for all his creatures to enjoy.

We as a civilized Asian nations should respect each others right and follow the Declaration on the Conduct of parties in the South China sea and international rules. Because all Laws made by higher authority are ordained by God.

Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. Practicing the Golden Rule is not a sacrifice; it is an investment for us to attain peace and stability. But if whoever has the gold makes all the rules it may lead to war and find himself at the end lost and ashamed.

DECLARATION ON THE CONDUCT OF PARTIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

The Governments of the Member States of ASEAN and the Government of the People's Republic of China,

REAFFIRMING their determination to consolidate and develop the friendship and cooperation existing between their people and governments with the view to promoting a 21st century-oriented partnership of good neighbourliness and mutual trust;

COGNIZANT of the need to promote a peaceful, friendly and harmonious environment in the South China Sea between ASEAN and China for the enhancement of peace, stability, economic growth and prosperity in the region;

COMMITTED to enhancing the principles and objectives of the 1997 Joint Statement of the Meeting of the Heads of State/Government of the Member States of ASEAN and President of the People's Republic of China;

DESIRING to enhance favourable conditions for a peaceful and durable solution of differences and disputes among countries concerned;

HEREBY DECLARE the following:

1. The Parties reaffirm their commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and other universally recognized principles of international law which shall serve as the basic norms governing state-to-state relations;

2. The Parties are committed to exploring ways for building trust and confidence in accordance with the above-mentioned principles and on the basis of equality and mutual respect;

3. The Parties reaffirm their respect for and commitment to the freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea as provided for by the universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea;

4. The Parties concerned undertake to resolve their territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force, through friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea;

5. The Parties undertake to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability including, among others, refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features and to handle their differences in a constructive manner.

Pending the peaceful settlement of territorial and jurisdictional disputes, the Parties concerned undertake to intensify efforts to seek ways, in the spirit of cooperation and understanding, to build trust and confidence between and among them, including:

a. holding dialogues and exchange of views as appropriate between their defense and military officials;

b. ensuring just and humane treatment of all persons who are either in danger or in distress;

c. notifying, on a voluntary basis, other Parties concerned of any impending joint/combined military exercise; and

d. exchanging, on a voluntary basis, relevant information.

6. Pending a comprehensive and durable settlement of the disputes, the Parties concerned may explore or undertake cooperative activities. These may include the following:

a. marine environmental protection;

b. marine scientific research;

c. safety of navigation and communication at sea;

d. search and rescue operation; and

e. combating transnational crime, including but not limited to trafficking in illicit drugs, piracy and armed robbery at sea, and illegal traffic in arms.

The modalities, scope and locations, in respect of bilateral and multilateral cooperation should be agreed upon by the Parties concerned prior to their actual implementation.

7. The Parties concerned stand ready to continue their consultations and dialogues concerning relevant issues, through modalities to be agreed by them, including regular consultations on the observance of this Declaration, for the purpose of promoting good neighbourliness and transparency, establishing harmony, mutual understanding and cooperation, and facilitating peaceful resolution of disputes among them;

8. The Parties undertake to respect the provisions of this Declaration and take actions consistent therewith;

9. The Parties encourage other countries to respect the principles contained in this Declaration;

10. The Parties concerned reaffirm that the adoption of a code of conduct in the South China Sea would further promote peace and stability in the region and agree to work, on the basis of consensus, towards the eventual attainment of this objective.

Done on the Fourth Day of November in the Year Two Thousand and Two in Phnom Penh, the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Related stories:

Justice Carpio debunks China’s historical claim

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/106116/justice-carpio-debunks-chinas-historical-claim

China reclamation violates Asean code, says DND

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/106120/china-reclamation-violates-asean-code-says-dnd

Why China military base in West PH Sea is a 'game- changer'

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/06/10/14/why-china-military-base-west-ph-sea-game-changer

 

Chinese Incursion A Disaster To West Philippine Sea

by: desertknightfm- Rhojel

A Long Reef Exposed at Low Tide or Tubbataha

Tubbataha is a combine words tubba and taha which together means " a long reef exposed at low tide" this words originated from people of Samal, Davao del Norte. Samal people have a nomadic lifestyle where in they visit the reef from time to time. Cagayancillo people called this reef  "Gusong" and they are their frequent visitors, they used pangko a native vessel for sailing and fishing on the said reef for a living.

The United Nations Organization for Education, Science, and Culture or UNESCO declared the Tubbataha Reef National Park as a World Heritage Site because of its atoll reef with a very high density of marine species, pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpindicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral island. On its north part of an islet is where marine turtles and different migratory birds nest. In 1999, Ramsar listed Tubbataha as one of the Wetlands of International Importance. In 2008, the reef was nominated at the New 7 Wonders of Nature but lost.

Preservation

Tubbataha reef is located in the middle part of Sulu sea, far from populated islands and there is no freshwater in its two islets and this are the reasons why dwelling is inconceivable. Because of  this condition the reef marine resources is protected from over-exploitation over the centuries.

In the 1980s, Fish had declined because of overfishing due to motorized bangkas and later became a fishing destination because of its plethoric marine life. Illegal fishing like cyanide and dynamite fishing became a common practice in order to maximize their catch. Because of this incidents environmentalists and Scuba divers crusaded to make the reefs a national marine park.

August 11, 1988, President Cory Aquino signed Proclamation no. 306 establishing the two Tubbataha Reefs as a national marine park through the effort of the Provincial Government of Palawan. The said national marine park have an area of 332 square kilometres (82, 000 acres) and the first in the history of the Philippine that a marine area was declared as a national park.

On August 23, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1126 which include the Jessie Beazley Reef resulting to an increased boundaries of the park by 200% to 970.30 square kilometres (239, 770 acres). The national park was also reclassified as a natural park. For the protection of the park from illegal activities including fishing and collection of other marine life, the government placed a station located at the southernmost tip of the North Atoll with the combined team from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Municipality of Cagayancillo and the Tubbataha Management Office or TMO.


Ship Grounding Incident

Minesweeper USS Guardian during the process of dismantling.

There are thirteen ship grounding incidents recorded in the history of Tubbataha reef after it was declared as a natural park. The first incident happened on October 31, 2005 when the Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior ran aground on it, damaging approximately 100 square metres (1, 100 sq ft) of reef which they paid a fine of about seven thousand US dollars ($7, 000) to the government. Between 2011 and April 2013 there are twelve incidents including two of our Philippine ships and the most controversial accident happened on January 17, 2013 when the US Navy minesweeper USS Guardian ran aground on it because the officers in charge did not adhere to standard US Navy navigation procedures. The U.S. Government apologized for the incident and relieved the four officers from duty. To avoid further damage of the coral reef the U.S. Navy decided to dismantle the ship in place and on March 30, the last section of the ship was removed from the reef and there was no evidence of fuel leakage from the grounded vessel were found. The U.S. Federal Government was assessed a fine of 24, 000 pesos or about 600 US dollars per square meter with additions for other violations, the total fine came to about 60 million pesos or 1.4 million U.S. dollars.

Chinese vessel ran aground the Tabbatahan reef.

Three months later a Chinese vessel ran aground the reef destroying 3,902 square meters of corals including some massive corals 500 years old. This is 66 percent larger than the 2,345.67 square meters damaged by the USS Guardian.The TMO said it has sent an official communication to the Chinese Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs seeking assistance in identifying the person or company liable. But until now their still no response from Chinese Government.

Chinese Poaching at West Philippine Sea

Tubbataha Incident

More than a year ago, 12 Chinese fishermen were arrested for illegal fishing when their vessel ran aground in Tubbataha reef last April 2013 and now faced a Puerto Princesa Court in Palawan. This Wednesday during the court hearing, the captain explained while in witness stand that their vessel wandered to the reef due to bad weather and a malfunctioning GPS device. However the respondents could not explain the endangered Philippine Pangolins or anteaters that were found in their freezer. Under Republic Act 10067, or the Tubbataha National Park Act, poaching is punishable by imprisonment of six to 12 years, a $100,000 fine, and forfeiture of the catch, fishing equipment and fishing vessel.

Hasa-Hasa Incident

Recently the PNP maritime police caught 11 chinese poacher with more than 500 endangered marine turtles in disputed Philippine waters two weeks ago, 2 of them are minors and turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Department of Foreign Affairs for deportation as required by law.

 The nine Chinese national arrested are identified as boat captain Chen Yi Quan, chief engineer Chen Ze Hao and crews Shi Xian Xiong, Shi Liang Duong, He Chuan, Huang Ji Xuan, He Sheng Bao, He Yuan Cheng, and Lu Chuan Fang. On Wednesday, they pleaded not guilty to violating the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 in a Palawan court. The nine accused have yet to post bail. The Department of Justice recommended P30,000 bail each for violation of section 87, and P40,000 each for Section 97, of the code and if ever found guilty beyond reasonable doubt they going to serve up to 20 years in prison with a fines of up to 5 million pesos.

Pag-Asa Island Incident

The ABS-CBN News released a footage that shows Chinese boats poaching giant clams from West Philippine sea near Pag-Asa island Last April 2014. According to local fisherman Mr. Ronie Cajamco the chinese start hunting taklobo or giant clams around 6 o'clock in the morning up to 5 o'clock in the afternoon, after the whole day of digging, because the giant clams was embedded in corral reef they going to collect it and transferred to a big ship stationed on the disputed waters.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) a giant clams is classified as an endangered species and should not be harvested or sold, they also said that it takes around 50 years before a giant clams grow to a large size.

The Department of Foreign Affairs expressed alarm over the number of Chinese vessels and number of giant clams harvested within the Philippine territory. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) states that while territorial disputes have yet to be resolved, natural resources in the disputed waters can not be exploited or destroyed but Beijing has said that it does not recognize the arbitration case filed by Philippines before a UN tribunal.

    

China's Saber Rattling

 by: desertknightfm- Rhojel


Chinese Troop Build Up Near Vietnam Border

"Once war is declared, he (the general) will not waste precious time in waiting for reinforcements, nor will he turn his army back for fresh supplies, but crosses the enemy's frontier without delay. The value of time--that is, being a little ahead of your opponent--has counted for more than either numerical superiority or the nicest calculations with regard to commissariat." ~ Sun Tzu


On May 16, 2014 a large number of People's Leberation Army troops have reportedly been spotted by Chinese netizen heading toward the China-Vietnam border. The remilitarization of the border is a sign of an imminent conflict between two countries and it is not the first time it happened. As history repeat itself during the start of Indochina war Vietnam believed that the war they wage was against Chinese expansionism (Chiến tranh chống bành trướng Trung Hoa), while in China, the war is referred to as the Defensive Counterattack against Vietnam (duì yuè zìwèi fǎnjī zhàn). Since Vietnam can't able to fight on sea it will be pleasurable for them to pick a fight at the land.To avoid another Sino-Vietnamese War which happened on March 6, 1979 the United Nation must intervene immediately on this.   

 

A Bradley Attack Vehicle troop transport of the Chinese military, is seen in Kunming, Yunnan, in Southwest China. Chinese netizens have posted several photos showing the Chinese military moving toward the Vietnamese border. (Weibo.com)



Chinese troops carrying anti-tank weapons are seen marching in Guangxi Province, near the border with Vietnam. Local netizens report a strong smell of gunpowder. (Weibo.com)

Hope For The Best And Prepare For The Worst

“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.” ~ Sun Tzu 

Because we are been caught unprepared to situation we don't expect, now we need to buy time to prepare for war. Sun Tzu a popular Chinese philosopher who wrote the art of war, said that in time of peace we should be busy preparing for war because we can not assure our safety and security for ever, time will come that some country like China will try to stole our rights and freedom and even hope for our next generation.

Reality bites China is not our friend anymore and on my opinion we should stop expecting that they going to respect us or return what is ours. Building a military base in Johnson South reef and firing water canon to all our fisherman while fishing in west Philippine sea are considered an attack to our sovereignty. The country is in imminent war and we should focus all our attention on how to fight foreign aggresor and win the battle for peace. 


Chinese troops are seen marching in a city street in Chongzuo in China’s Guangxi Province near the Vietnam border. (Weibo.com)

 

A Chinese tank is seen near the border with Vietnam, as tensions grow more tense between the two countries. (Weib.com)



A convoy of Chinese military vehicles are seen in Fangchenggang City in Guangxi, near the Vietnam border. (Weibo.com)



Chinese troops march in Chongzuo City in Guangxi Province near the Vietnam border. Chinese netizens say the troops are moving along the border. (Weibo.com)

  

Chinese artillery is being transported in Chongzuo City, Guangxi Province. (Weibo.com)


"Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.~ Sun Tzu



Jose Rizal The Mason



Bro. Dimasalang



May 3, 1882

The first documented exposure of Rizal to masonry

The first documented exposure of Rizal to masonry took place in 1882. May 3, 1882, he started on his journey to Madrid. June 11, his ship docked at Naples, [ where he saw] a multitude of posters set up by masons announcing the death of Giuseppe Garibaldi, their Grand Master. Rizal wrote about what he saw in a letter to his parents and brothers. That letter marked the first time Rizal made a written mention of Masonry, but not the last.

II. Rizal's First Years As A Mason

Upon his arrival in Spain, Rizal found it a country strongly influenced by Masonic thought. The atmosphere of freedom had a profound impact on Rizal who was then smarting from the abuses of the friars in his native land, particularly the injustice inflicted upon his mother. When he was only ten years of age, his mother was arrested on a trumped-up charge and forced to walk from their residence in Calamba, to the prison in Sta. Cruz, the capital of Laguna, a distance of over thirty kilometers. She was later exonerated, but only after two-and-a half years in jail.

Ferdinand Blumentritt, Rizal's good friend, assessed the impact of free Spain upon him, thus:

During his sojourn in Spain he came upon a new world. The

horizons of his mind widened considerably, opening up to

him new ideas. He came from a country where the friars,

the bureaucrats, military officers, and the rest of the

Spaniards exercised absolute power. In Madrid, he saw the

exact opposite; freethinkers and atheists spoke freely and

disparagingly of his religion and his Church; the authority

of the State, he found out, was weak; he expected to see

liberals and clericals fighting each other, but he saw

quite the opposite… At the sight of all this, a feeling of

bitterness overwhelmed him when he compared the unlimited

freedom in the Mother country with the theocratic

absolutism in his own land.

[Rizal] soon came under the influence of several outstanding masonic thinkers.

Miguel Morayta, a Grand Master, was his college professor who molded his views of history, while the ex-president of Spain, the Catalan Francisco Pi y Margall, who also became his friend, gave direction to his political thoughts. Among the first Spaniards to advocate emancipation of the Philippines were the masons Rafael Labra y Cardano and Sovereign Grand Commander Manuel Ruiz Zorrilla. Small wonder, therefore, that Rizal decided to apply for membership in Acasia Lodge No. 9, a lodge in Madrid under the Gran Oriente de Espaòa, at that time the principal and biggest Grand Orient in Spain. Upon his initiation, Rizal chose Dimasalang as his symbolic name in Masonry.

Early on Rizal and other Filipino expatriates realized that the enemy of reform in the Philippines was not Spain or religion, but the friars. [Starting] a patriotic propaganda for the improvement of conditions Rizal quickly rose to the forefront of this movement. In 1884 he started writing his famous novel, Noli Me Tangere, an incisive indictment of the Philippine political and religious regime. [The same] year Rizal spoke at a banquet [held] in honor of Juan Luna and Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo, Filipino artists named first and second prize winners in a painting contest held in Madrid. Rizal saluted Spain, but flayed the friars in the Philippines. When copies of the newspapers carrying his speech reached Manila, authorities branded him a subversive.

Completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal left for France in July 1885 to specialize in opthamology. He trained in Paris for four months, then he left for Heidelberg, then considered the most advanced center of opthalmic research in Europe. From there he moved to Wilhelmsfeld, Leipzig and Berlin and met some of the most eminent men in Europe.

Dimasalang: The Masonic Life of Dr. Jose Rizal

By Raymond S. Fajardo, 33º

Edited by Fred Lamar Pearson, Jr., 33º





See Who's Talking!

China Label Philippines as 'Regional Troublemaker'

Aside from its forward naval station in full operations at the Philippine-owned Panganiban Reef, China with its frigates and surveillance ships, is busy reclaiming shoals and reefs they have started occupying in the region to advance its territorial claim over the area. 

On July 13, 2012 the warship Jianghu-class frigate had run aground on a reef of Palawan. The said frigate was dispatch to patrol and discouraged Filipino fishing boats from the area. Lt. Col. Neil Estrella Western Command spokeperson during that time said, " that the military was prepared to provide assistance to the stricken Chinese vessel because any ship or naval vessel in distress, we are duty-bound to provide assistance, regardless of whether or not they intruded into our territorial waters.” Inspite of china's belligerent attitude toward Filipino fisherman our government express their concerns and kindness to all Chinese crew of the Jianghu warship which was stuck on the Philippine reef and in return China call us troublemaker. 

BRP Sierra Madre (USS Harnett County LST-821)

Last year July 1, 2013 Chinese news (Xinhua) analyst calls Philippine as a 'Troublemaker'.
"The Philippines, under its current administration, has been a true troublemaker in the region," Lu Yu said, complaining that the country has "assaulted and detained" Chinese fishermen and had an old warship "stranded on purpose" at Ren'ai Reef or the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

The Ayungin Shoal which Lu Yu pertaining about is a reef within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines base on United Nation Convention of the Law of the Sea over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind. It stretches from the baseline out to 200 nautical miles from its coast. In colloquial usage, the term may include the continental shelf and the old warship which she referring was a USS Harnett County (LST-821) a landing ship utilized during World War II and during Vietnam War, she was transferred to South Vietnam's Republic of Vietnam Navy which named her RVNS My Tho (HQ-800). After the Vietnam War the US government reassigned Harnett County to the Philippine Navy which named her BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57).



The USS Harnett County was an LST for the United States in WWII, and served again during Vietnam.  The ship was given to the Phillipines in 1976, wherein its designation was changed to the BRP Sierra Madre. The reason the ship is still officially commissioned and manned is because an attack against it would be tantamount to war between the PRC and the Philippines and the Philippines' non-NATO ally the United States.

"The destinies of two great empires seem to be tied by some god-damned things called LST's"

-Winston Churchill

 In 1999 the Philippine government deliberately had her run aground on Ayungin Reef (Second Thomas Shoal) in the Spratly Islands to serve as an outpost of the Philippine Marine Corps to assert Philippine sovereignty in the country's dispute with China over the ownership of the Spratly Islands. The Chinese fisherman assulted and detained according to Lu Yu was apprehended for poaching in the said Philippine territory contrary to Lu statement the Chinese National were humanely treated by local authorities. The Philippine peoples are not only protecting its sovereignty but also all endangered species and natural resources and in return we are been accused by China as a troublemaker in the region.

 

Last  March 2014 another incidence of harrashment was reported when China Government sent their Coast Guard and war ship to West Philippine Sea.  The said ships start to block off  and firing water canon on all Philippine fishing boat and other ships including the Philippine Navy AM700. The AM700 is a Philippine Navy vessel who carried supplies and troops to replace their fellow marines in BRP Sierra Madre. Inspite of the intimidation and provocative acts, the Philippine government did not retaliate but choose to seek peaceful solution by submitting a memorial to the arbitral tribunal of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. China reacted to this and label us as a troublemaker.

Last tuesday May 6, 2014 another provocative act was made by chinese fisherman in the disputed Philippine reef. The PNP Maritime police seized a chinese fishing vessel found carrying sea turtles off Hasa-Hasa Shoal (Half Moon Shoal) and arrested its 11 crewmembers while shipping 400 live turtles aboard the boat. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had said the arrest was an exercise of the Philippines’ sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea. China got angry and asked our government to return the boat and free its crew or else.... What? are they going to tell us again that we are a real troublemaker?

Pictures of the apprehended foreign vessel for possession of endangered wildlife species at the vicinity of Half-Moon Shoal, West Philippine Sea, Palawan last Tuesday (May 6, 2014).

May 09, 2014

Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian excoriated China’s reported use of jamming equipment in Ayungin Shoal. It was discovered when two hovering planes of the AFP were forced to navigated on their own after their communications equipment jam while doing a patrol on the disputed area on May 3, 2014.

He said "the move to use jamming equipment could violate civilians’ right to life, liberty and security, as well as the right to freedom of movement as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

He also added that "China’s resort to jamming devices imperils the lives of civilians aboard private and commercial planes and ships because it affects the transmission of information crucial for navigation. It also breaches the right of people to travel. China, as a member of the United Nations and more so as a member of the UN Security Council, should learn to respect the rights of people to life, liberty, security and movement as guaranteed by the Declaration,”.