Latest news with #Hague-based
Miami Herald
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Ally Secures Military Access to Contested South China Sea
Japan's ratification of an agreement allowing reciprocal military visits with the Philippines puts the U.S. allies on a course for greater security cooperation amid regional tensions with China. Newsweek reached out to the Japanese and Chinese Foreign Ministries via email for comment. China's rapid military buildup and overlapping territorial claims have driven Beijing's neighbors to deepen security ties with Washington, as well as with each other, through "mini-laterals" arrangements such as the "Squad" (comprising the U.S., Australia, Japan, and the Philippines), and bilateral frameworks. Japan's National Diet voted Friday to approve a reciprocal access agreement with the Philippines. Manila's legislature ratified the deal six months earlier. The arrangement is expected to enhance interoperability, facilitate military drills, and support joint operations, including disaster relief, according to the agreement. Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner, chief of staff of the Philippine armed forces, in a statement, hailed the pact as a "significant step in advancing bilateral defense cooperation and regional stability." The Philippines is the third country to sign this kind of agreement with Japan, following Australia and the United Kingdom. Japan previously selected the Philippines as the first beneficiary of its Official Security Assistance program for like-minded partners. China has frequently criticized defense cooperation between the Philippines and "outside forces," maintaining that the South China Sea dispute is a bilateral issue. The Philippines is embroiled in a long-standing territorial dispute with China, which has expanded its maritime presence within the maritime zone of its U.S. defense treaty ally. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea-through which an estimated $3 trillion in trade passes annually-despite a Hague-based arbitral tribunal's 2016 decision that dismissed these claims. A separate dispute also simmers over a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, known in Japan as the Senkakus and in China as the Diaoyu Islands. Both Japanese and Philippine officials-like their American counterparts-have voiced concern over China's growing military activity around Taiwan, the self-ruled democracy that Beijing has vowed to unify with, by force if necessary. Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said in February: "Japan seeks to bypass the constraints of its postwar pacifist constitution through defense cooperation with the Philippines." The Japan-Philippines Armed Forces Facilitation Agreement says: "As the security environment in the region becomes increasingly severe, the signing of an important agreement in the field of security with the Philippines, a strategic partner located at a strategic location on sea lanes and sharing fundamental values and principles with Japan, will further promote security and defense cooperation between the two countries and firmly support peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region." Earlier this year, the two countries announced plans for regular meetings to address Philippine defense equipment needs, as well as early efforts to establish an intelligence-sharing framework. Related Articles Map Shows Where Hegseth Wants US Military on China's DoorstepUS Ally Keeps American Missiles at Choke Point Near ChinaVideo Shows Chinese 'Militia' Ship Near US Ally's Disputed TerritoryFootage Shows Chinese Ships Near US Ally's Disputed Island Base 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Ally Secures Military Access to Contested South China Sea
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Japan's ratification of an agreement allowing reciprocal military visits with the Philippines puts the U.S. allies on a course for greater security cooperation amid regional tensions with China. Newsweek reached out to the Japanese and Chinese Foreign Ministries via email for comment. Why It Matters China's rapid military buildup and overlapping territorial claims have driven Beijing's neighbors to deepen security ties with Washington, as well as with each other, through "mini-laterals" arrangements such as the "Squad" (comprising the U.S., Australia, Japan, and the Philippines), and bilateral frameworks. What To Know Japan's National Diet voted Friday to approve a reciprocal access agreement with the Philippines. Manila's legislature ratified the deal six months earlier. The arrangement is expected to enhance interoperability, facilitate military drills, and support joint operations, including disaster relief, according to the agreement. Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner, chief of staff of the Philippine armed forces, in a statement, hailed the pact as a "significant step in advancing bilateral defense cooperation and regional stability." China Coast Guard vessels deploy water cannons at the Philippine military-chartered Unaizah May 4 (R) during its supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on March 5, 2024. China Coast Guard vessels deploy water cannons at the Philippine military-chartered Unaizah May 4 (R) during its supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on March 5, 2024. Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images The Philippines is the third country to sign this kind of agreement with Japan, following Australia and the United Kingdom. Japan previously selected the Philippines as the first beneficiary of its Official Security Assistance program for like-minded partners. China has frequently criticized defense cooperation between the Philippines and "outside forces," maintaining that the South China Sea dispute is a bilateral issue. The Philippines is embroiled in a long-standing territorial dispute with China, which has expanded its maritime presence within the maritime zone of its U.S. defense treaty ally. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea—through which an estimated $3 trillion in trade passes annually—despite a Hague-based arbitral tribunal's 2016 decision that dismissed these claims. A separate dispute also simmers over a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea, known in Japan as the Senkakus and in China as the Diaoyu Islands. Both Japanese and Philippine officials—like their American counterparts—have voiced concern over China's growing military activity around Taiwan, the self-ruled democracy that Beijing has vowed to unify with, by force if necessary. What People Are Saying Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said in February: "Japan seeks to bypass the constraints of its postwar pacifist constitution through defense cooperation with the Philippines." The Japan-Philippines Armed Forces Facilitation Agreement says: "As the security environment in the region becomes increasingly severe, the signing of an important agreement in the field of security with the Philippines, a strategic partner located at a strategic location on sea lanes and sharing fundamental values and principles with Japan, will further promote security and defense cooperation between the two countries and firmly support peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region." What Happens Next Earlier this year, the two countries announced plans for regular meetings to address Philippine defense equipment needs, as well as early efforts to establish an intelligence-sharing framework.
11-06-2025
- Politics
Senators return the impeachment case against Sara Duterte to the Philippine House
MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine senators set themselves as an impeachment court Tuesday for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte over corruption and other criminal allegations, but voted to send the raft of complaints back to the lower House of Representatives due to legal questions. Dozens of activists protesting outside the Senate condemned Senate President Chiz Escudero and 17 other senators for voting to send back the impeachment complaint to the House instead of immediately bringing Duterte to trial. Five senators rejected the move. The Senate action will delay the start of Duterte's impeachment trial but it's unclear what other impact it would have on her case. 'There is no `remand' or `return' in the constitution,' said Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who has demanded an immediate trial of the vice president. 'Our obligation is to try and decide.' Escudero said the move did not mean that the impeachment complaint was being dismissed and underscored that point by issuing summons for Duterte to appear before the impeachment court when the trial proceeds. Duterte was impeached by the House in February on a range of accusations that include plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and large-scale corruption. Many legislators who backed Duterte's impeachment were political allies of Marcos and her impeachment deepened a bitter political rift between the two highest leaders of one of Asia's most rambunctious democracies. The vice president's supporters have said the legislators violated the constitution and congressional rules to force her impeachment and prevent her from running in presidential elections in 2028, when Marcos' six-year term ends. Duterte, 47, is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte who was arrested in March and flown to The Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. The Hague-based court had ordered the former president's arrest through Interpol, the global police organization, after accusing him of committing a crime against humanity over deadly anti-drug crackdowns he oversaw while in office.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Senators return impeachment case against Sara Duterte to the Philippine House
In this photo provided by the Senate Social Media Unit, Philippine Senate president Francis Escudero leads Philippine senators as they take oath as jurors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Philippine Senate in Pasay city, Philippines on Tuesday June 10, 2025. - Senate Social Media Unit, Voltaire Fernandez Domingo via AP MANILA: Philippine senators set themselves as an impeachment court Tuesday (June 10) for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte over corruption and other criminal allegations, but voted to send the raft of complaints back to the lower House of Representatives due to legal questions. Dozens of activists protesting outside the Senate condemned Senate President Chiz Escudero and 17 other senators for voting to send back the impeachment complaint to the House instead of immediately bringing Duterte to trial. Five senators rejected the move. The Senate action will delay the start of Duterte's impeachment trial but it's unclear what other impact it would have on her case. "There is no `remand' or `return' in the constitution,' said Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has demanded an immediate trial of the vice president. "Our obligation is to try and decide.' Escudero said the move did not mean that the impeachment complaint was being dismissed and underscored that point by issuing summons for Duterte to appear before the impeachment court when the trial proceeds. Duterte was impeached by the House in February on a range of accusations that include plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and large-scale corruption. Many legislators who backed Duterte's impeachment were political allies of Marcos and her impeachment deepened a bitter political rift between the two highest leaders of one of Asia's most rambunctious democracies. The vice president's supporters have said the legislators violated the constitution and congressional rules to force her impeachment and prevent her from running in presidential elections in 2028, when Marcos' six-year term ends. Duterte, 47, is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte who was arrested in March and flown to The Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. The Hague-based court had ordered the former president's arrest through Interpol, the global police organisation, after accusing him of committing a crime against humanity over deadly anti-drug crackdowns he oversaw while in office. - AP
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Philippine senators send impeachment case against VP Sara Duterte to lower chamber
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine senators set themselves as an impeachment court Tuesday for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte over corruption and other criminal allegations, but voted to send the raft of complaints back to the lower House of Representatives due to legal questions. Dozens of activists protesting outside the Senate condemned Senate President Chiz Escudero and 17 other senators for voting to send back the impeachment complaint to the House instead of immediately bringing Duterte to trial. Five senators rejected the move. The Senate action will delay the start of Duterte's impeachment trial but it's unclear what other impact it would have on her case. 'There is no `remand' or `return' in the constitution,' said Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who has demanded an immediate trial of the vice president. 'Our obligation is to try and decide.' Escudero said the move did not mean that the impeachment complaint was being dismissed and underscored that point by issuing summons for Duterte to appear before the impeachment court when the trial proceeds. Duterte was impeached by the House in February on a range of accusations that include plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and large-scale corruption. Many legislators who backed Duterte's impeachment were political allies of Marcos and her impeachment deepened a bitter political rift between the two highest leaders of one of Asia's most rambunctious democracies. The vice president's supporters have said the legislators violated the constitution and congressional rules to force her impeachment and prevent her from running in presidential elections in 2028, when Marcos' six-year term ends. Duterte, 47, is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte who was arrested in March and flown to The Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. The Hague-based court had ordered the former president's arrest through Interpol, the global police organization, after accusing him of committing a crime against humanity over deadly anti-drug crackdowns he oversaw while in office.
