Palace says Philippines, US share same view on
resolving territorial row with China
The recent statement of US President Barack
Obama warning China to refrain from using force or intimidation to resolve the
maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea is consistent with the Philippine
government’s position, a Palace official said on Saturday.
Meeting Chinese officials in Washington this
week, Obama warned China on using force against its neighbors and urged it to
adopt a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on
Saturday, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said she can’t predict
how Obama’s statement will influence other countries in settling the dispute in
the West Philippine Sea.
But since the country brought the issue to
international arbitration, Valte said there are a number of countries and
institutions that have expressed support for the Philippine position.
“In the sense that we’ve taken it, we’ve gone
through diplomatic channels, we’ve gone through the correct venue for the
settlement of disputes such as this, and we’ve always advocated for a peaceful
resolution,” she said.
“So we’ve received widespread support on the
position that the country has chosen to take.”
The Philippine government has maintained that
any maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea should be resolved under a
rules-based regime of the international law.
The Philippines and Vietnam charged that China
has used assertive means to exert claims in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines said it is contemplating on the
possibility of allowing its allies, particularly the US, to use its military
base on a temporary and rotational basis to bolster its defense capability
against Chinese intrusion.
While saying it’s not taking sides, the US has
said since 2010 that its national interest is ensuring freedom of navigation in
the West Philippine Sea.
Considering the ongoing tensions, the US has
boosted military cooperation with Japan and the Philippines as well as with
former war adversary Vietnam. PND (as)
MMDA, local government units should work
together to address Metro’s traffic woes, says Palace
Malacanang has reminded local government units
that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is not the only one
in charge of ensuring orderliness and smooth flow of traffic in Metro Manila
particularly in EDSA.
There are concerns being raised about the
inability of some local government to carry out their mandate in ensuring
free-flowing traffic in EDSA particularly with the presence of tricycles in the
main thoroughfare when in fact these vehicles are prohibited.
“Paalala din natin doon sa ating mga pamahalaang
lokal na hindi lang naman ang MMDA ang in-charge doon sa buong EDSA,” Deputy
Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB
Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
“Kailangan makipagtulungan sila sa mga
pamahalaang lokal para ma-implement ang mga ganitong batas.”
Reacting to calls for the MMDA to first address
illegal parking and illegal bus operations before carrying out a new traffic
scheme, Valte said the government has been addressing these issues.
The MMDA plans to implement a new number coding
scheme to decongest EDSA, seen by some as a band aid solution to the traffic
conditions in Metro Manila.
Valte said they received complaints about
illegal parking and colorum buses and the Land Transportation Franchising
Regulatory Board is already addressing the issue.
With regards to illegal parking, Valte said the
MMDA has already identified two choke points along EDSA, and the MMDA is now
fixing the problem.
“Inaayos na rin nila yung sa illegal parking,
doon sa dalawang choke points. Nabanggit na ito ni Chairman Tolentino na
nagdi-dispatch na sila ng mga team para paalisin ang mga nagpa-park doon sa
dalawang kalye na ‘yon tuwing nagkakaroon ng labasan or dismissal,” she said.
The MMDA has sent a team to tow and remove
illegally parked vehicles in those areas, according to Valte.
The Palace is also open to receiving suggestions
from the public to resolve traffic issues in Metro Manila, she said, adding
however that although they can get suggestions, these proposals have to be
approved by the Metro Manila Development Council.
“Maganda naman kasi kung nagkakaroon ng public
discourse, at least, alam nila [council], bago nila i-discuss kung ano ang
pulso ng bayan doon sa mga proposals,” Valte said. PND (as)
Palace: Typhoon Huaning still poses danger to
small vessels, advises fishermen not to venture at sea
Malacanang advised sea-faring vessels not to
venture in Northern Luzon’s seaboard because of the danger pose by Typhoon
Huaning, which remains in the Philippine area of responsibility.
In a radio interview Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng
Bayan, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte reported that the
National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) issued Gale
Warning No. 7 advising sea vessels about the danger on venturing out at sea.
Northern Luzon areas covered by the warning
include Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan; and
the seaboard of Central Luzon that include Aurora, Zambales and Bataan. Fishing
boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea
because of the dangers pose by the typhoon.
The NDRRMC has been disseminating the warning
through the Office of Civil Defense Regional Centers 1, 2 and 3, Valte said. It
was also sent to the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils in
those areas. The warning will be disseminated from provincial to municipal
levels.
PAGASA initially reported this week that Typhoon
Huaning maintained its strength as it moved toward the Batanes-Taiwan area
Thursday afternoon.
PAGASA said Typhoon Huaning was not likely to
make landfall over the Philippines so long as it does not change its course.
PND (as)
