Tag: Rodrigo Duterte

Philippines calls on China to comply with 2016 arbitral ruling over South China Sea
Politics

Philippines calls on China to comply with 2016 arbitral ruling over South China Sea

President Rodrigo Duterte’s government in Philippines has called on China to comply with 2016 arbitral ruling which had ruled that China has no ‘historic rights over the waters of South China Sea’.“Compliance in good faith with the award would be consistent with the obligations of the Philippines and China under international law, including UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) to which both parties are signatories,” Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a statement.The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands had ruled that China has no ‘historic rights’ over the waters of the South China Sea. It also said that China has interfered with traditional Philippine fishing rights at Scarborough Shoal, even as Beijing claimed historic rights to the water
Philippine protesters rally over controversial anti-terror bill
Business

Philippine protesters rally over controversial anti-terror bill

Braving the fear of Coronavirus, thousands of protesters rallied in the capital of the Philippines, Manila on Friday against anti-terrorism legislation that critics fear would give Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sweeping powers to stifle dissent.The Bill, which has been approved by Congress and is expected to be signed into law by Duterte, would create a council of presidential appointees that could order warrantless arrests of people it deems are terrorists.It also allows for weeks of detention without charge. Activists fear the legislation could open the door to a crackdown on Duterte's opponents."They (authorities) shouldn't fool us that this terror Bill is for terrorists. It's for all of us," said Neri Colmenares, an activist and lawyer.“Groups such as the kidnap-for-ransom gang