US Ramps up Military Presence in the Philippines
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Thursday that U.S. troops and military equipment would be sent on regular rotations in the Philippines and that the two countries had started joint patrols in the South China Sea as China increasingly asserts its territorial claims. The initiatives are designed so that the United States does not increase its permanent footprint in its former colony, but they demonstrate that the two countries are increasing security cooperation amid joint concerns over China's actions in the region's disputed waterways. Countries across the region have expressed concern over China's activities, but the broader American military presence was not meant to provoke conflict with the Chinese, Carter said.
Philippines Accuses China of Turning Water Cannon on its Fishing Boats
Filipino activists denounced China's coast guard on Tuesday for turning water cannon on Philippine fishing boats in disputed waters, near where hundreds of Filipino and American Marines landed on a beach in a mock assault. The presidential palace in Manila said China's coast guard used water cannon on Monday to drive away a group of Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal, damaging some of their wooden boats. Chinese ships rammed a fishing boat in the area a few months ago. China in 2012 took control of Scarborough Shoal, about 130 miles (210 km) west of a former U.S. naval base northwest of Manila, preventing Filipino fishermen from getting near the rich fishing grounds.
Philippines: China Intimidating Its Fishing Boats
Filipino activists denounced China's coast guard on Tuesday for turning water cannon on Philippine fishing boats in disputed waters, near where hundreds of Filipino and American Marines landed on a beach in a mock assault. The presidential palace in Manila said China's coast guard used water cannon on Monday to drive away a group of Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal, damaging some of their wooden boats. Chinese ships rammed a fishing boat in the area a few months back. China in 2012 took control of Scarborough Shoal, about 130 miles west of a former U.S. naval base northwest of Manila, preventing Filipino fishermen from getting near the rich fishing grounds.
Reclamation Of Ayer Chawan Basin, Jurong Port
During the period of reclamation of Ayer Chawan Basin, Jurong Island, Singapore –which has now been extended and will be conducted from 15 June to 14 December –bulk carriers, self-propelled barges and pusher tugs with barges in composite unit carrying bulk sand will transit the Banyan Basin, Sinki Fairway, Temasek Fairway and West Jurong Channel to Ayer Chawan Basin reclamation project area. Masters of vessels and harbour craft shall keep a proper lookout for these vessels, proceed at a safe speed and navigate with extra caution when in the vicinity of the mooring buoys off Bayan Basin, Jurong Island. There are a total of three mooring slots. The mooring and unmooring of vessels will be carried out one at a time during daylight hours between 0630 to 1800hours.
