#Tensions in South China Sea

[chainreactionpodcast]

News: FAA Directives, Canadian Rail Strikes, Airline Mergers, Apple Services Growth, EU EV tariffs, Sinking Salt Flats in Chile

Navigating the intricacies of global supply chains is no small feat, and this week’s Chain Reaction podcast does an exceptional job unraveling the complexities involved. From Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directives to anticipated rail strikes in Canada, each segment is packed with critical insights that are indispensable for industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. FAA Requires…

[8008135sblog]

[latestnews-now]

Explore the critical discussions between President Biden and Xi Jinping as they address North Korea's support for Russia, China’s geopolitical role, and what lies ahead for U.S.-China relations under Donald Trump. Stay tuned for detailed analysis and insights!

[trendynewsnow]

A Fisherman's Harrowing Encounter with Chinese Authorities in the South China Sea

A Fisherman’s Harrowing Encounter in the South China Sea Nguyen Thanh Bien winced in pain as he rubbed his side, his gaze fixed on a portrait of Ho Chi Minh that adorned the living room. The space was filled with conch shells, remnants of his family’s fishing heritage. Nguyen recounted the ordeal he faced two weeks earlier at the hands of Chinese authorities, who boarded his fishing vessel and…

[bobbiedlifeinphil]

Chinese Strike Philippines Naval Vessels

[celestiarambles]

Hi this may divert from my usual content, but as someone with a platform like this I need to speak up about this.

The Philippines-China maritime dispute has been going on for years now, but lately the tensions had been getting more and more worse to the point it’s super concerning now.

Here’s a bit of a history lesson: China claims that the West Philippine Sea is theirs because of the nine-dash line, but the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in 2016 that that had no basis under international law. Other than that, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) said that China’s historic rights on the territory no longer exists. So basically, the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Philippines.

However, China rejects that decision. They have harassed, intimidated, and even used armed conflict on our vessels. China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels had even used a water cannon against our ships TWICE, in which one incident resulted to getting seven Navy personnel wounded.

Worse, there are also allegations of a spy being planted here. Alice Guo, one of the mayors in Tarlac (a city in the Philippines) had mysteriously risen to power despite having no prior experience or connections whatsoever. Literally no one even knew her in her town. She just claims to live in a simple farm. However, she owns a luxury sports car and a helicopter. And somehow, everything regarding her past is inconsistent; she doesn’t know what her mother’s name was, who she grew up with, no school documents, hell she didn’t even have a birth certificate up until she was 17 years old. This was all brought up because she was involved in the criminal activities (like human trafficking, scams, etc.) of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) which also has the Chinese involved.

The US has also been taking advantage of the situation by deploying 9 EDCA sites (military bases) for a supposed military pact, but former US Marine Intelligence Officer Scott Ritter has admitted to using the Philippines as a tool to gain leverage over the Chinese.

What has our government done regarding this dispute? They’re too busy infighting to focus on the bigger picture and on how to settle on an agreement with China.

I just want to take the time to speak up and make people more aware about the ongoing dispute. I know that this has been going on for several years now, but my memory and knowledge about the topic may be a bit wonky so I apologize in advance if I had said anything wrong. You can add more information regarding this or correct the information that I've given if I phrased things wrong.

Regardless, I do know one thing: the West Philippine Sea is ours.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-china-sea-why-are-china-philippines-tensions-heating-up-2024-04-11/

https://www.youtube.com/live/aOrmFJXyAVI?si=P9rPJkJM6BF0NIbW (check 1:57:00)

[sirensea14]

ATIN ANG WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

Sa atin ang Pilipinas, mapa-timog, hilaga, silangan o kanluran.

PILIIN NATIN ANG PILIPINAS‼️🇵🇭

The West Philippine Sea is ours

The Philippines is ours, whether it be south, north, east or west.

Let us choose the Philippines‼️🇵🇭 (this last line is a reference to a song, "Piliin mo ang Pilipinas" by Angeline Quinto)

{a little fun fact before I go to the explanation, the 4 urchins in my sona's headwear references the stars and sun in our flag. The largest at the back being the sun, and the 3 front urchins being the stars. }

PLEASE READ!

I'm scared of hearing news about this, so i sometimes refuse to watch the news. However, with tiktok, facebook and instagram, its been informing shit to me. It's all over my fyp.

I made this post to spread awareness of what's going on here:

China's been all aggressive towards our territory, our WEST PHILIPPINE SEA. Then the Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, is possibly distracting our government as the tensions rise on our WPS. And then there's the US, I don't know if we can trust the US especially with that video of an American Politician (correct me if Im wrong at this part because i do not know who that is) saying 'the USA doesn't like the Philippines and they are simply using us'. And the alarming increase of Chinese students around some regions of our country, and the illegal casino businesses (POGO) nationwide [funnily enough, I'm seeing casino game ads whenever I watch youtube or play games, it's so hilarious that theyre on the rise right now that it's annoying me.] And we're all dealing these along with the corrupt assholes in the government, poverty, and overpopulation.

I don't know what to do aside from being at least aware of the situation and spread awareness about this, because you know, I'm just... scared.

We do have some allies but I just hope no war or conflict will break out. There's too many youngsters here, and I still want to experience things i want to experience. I still want to see my 2 little brothers grow up. I still want to experience being known, being remembered, y'know?

If I die, I will gladly say, "Fuck off" on anyone who tries to invade us, may it be China or the US or anyone else. If China threatens a nuclear bomb, then death is certainly my wish at that point.

I can't be silent at this, I pray that China stops bullshitting our territory and withdraw from any conflicts they planned. We're all just people, there's so many out there scared because of this situation.

I hope this sheds some light.

REBLOG TO SPREAD AWARENESS!!

"Sa manlulupig, 'di ka pasisiil" 🇵🇭

Visual presentation of whats happening

[deim0sdread]

Might pull a Sodapop Patrick Curtis and drop out of school because idgaf about some fuckass stupid project on tensions in the South China Sea. THERE’S PEOPLE DYING SIR. I don’t wanna write a thousand and five hundred words bro… pls end me

[droctaviolovecraft]

"I thought prostitution was the oldest profession in the world."

ANM-566 - "God of War"

Danger Level: Helper 🔵 | Uncontained ❌️

Responsible Researcher: The Eleven Counselors

Type of Anomaly: Humanoid, political, historical

Type of Damage: Military, global, manipulative

Confinement: ANM-566-US is to be housed in a standard humanoid containment cell at Site-██. The cell is to be furnished with amenities resembling those of a 1980s-era office, including a replica of the Oval Office desk and décor. ANM-566 has shown cooperative behavior, and thus is allowed supervised recreational activities, including access to classic American films, 1980s news archives, and board games.

Two armed guards must be stationed outside ANM-566 containment cell at all times, with a third guard monitoring the interior via camera feed. Interaction with ANM-566 is to be conducted with caution; any discussions about political matters or current military conflicts must be avoided to prevent unintended activation of its anomalous effects. If ANM-566 begins to discuss or joke about instigating conflict, staff should redirect the conversation to safe topics, such as classic movies or jelly beans (a favorite of ANM-566).

Description: ANM-566-US is an anomalous entity that visually resembles former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, appearing as he did in the early 1980s. ANM-566 speaks with a distinctive tone and mannerisms that closely match those of Reagan during his time in office. The entity is capable of making humorous quips and jokes, often about politics, war, or the 1980s. Despite these traits, ANM-566-US exhibits a surprisingly deep understanding of modern geopolitical issues, suggesting an awareness beyond that of its physical appearance.

ANM-566 primary anomalous ability manifests when it discusses, suggests, or jokes about instigating military conflicts or escalating existing disputes. These comments, regardless of how offhand or humorous they may seem, have a statistically significant correlation with the outbreak of war or significant escalation in tensions within a week of the comment. The severity and location of the conflict appear to be influenced by the specifics of ANM-566 statements. For example:

Incident 566-01: On ██/██/20██, during a conversation with Dr. ██████, Ronald remarked, "You know, if I were in charge today, I'd probably just send a little fleet to remind the South China Sea who's boss." Within three days, tensions between the U.S. and China escalated, leading to a series of naval encounters in the South China Sea.

Incident 566-05: During an interview with Researcher ██████, ANM-566 joked, "Well, if they won't listen, I guess we could always dust off those old nukes and give the Cold War a reboot." Within four days, an international dispute over nuclear arms control agreements flared up, leading to several countries announcing intentions to expand their nuclear arsenals.

ANM-566-US ability does not appear to require direct interaction with political leaders or access to communications technology. The entity's statements alone seem sufficient to influence events, suggesting that its anomalous properties are not constrained by traditional cause-and-effect mechanisms.

Addendum 566-A: Psychological Evaluation

ANM-566 exhibits a humorous and charismatic personality, frequently making jokes and telling stories about "his" time as President of the United States. It seems to possess a genuine fondness for humor and nostalgia, particularly for the 1980s era. Despite this, there is evidence that ANM-566-US may be aware of its anomalous properties, as it occasionally makes self-referential remarks about "stirring up trouble" or "making history."

When asked directly about its ability to influence conflicts, ANM-566 typically deflects with humor. In one instance, when questioned by Dr. █████ about whether it had any control over its anomalous properties, ANM-566 replied, "Control? Well, I always said, 'Trust, but verify.' But I suppose it's more of a 'joke, but escalate' situation with me."

Addendum 566-B: Excerpt Interview Log 566-13

Interview conducted by Dr. ███████

> Dr. ███████: Good morning, Mr. Ronald Reagan. How are you today?

> ANM-566: Oh, I'm just dandy, doc! You know, I've been thinking about starting a new war. I've got my eye on… oh, what’s the country of the month?

> Dr. ███████: That’s precisely why I wanted to speak with you. We’ve noticed a pattern where your jokes about international conflicts seem to… well, come true.

> ANM-566: (Chuckles) You're giving me too much credit, doc. I just like to stir the pot a bit, keep things interesting. Back in my day, we didn't start wars. We just gave them a little nudge.

> Dr. ███████: It’s more than just a nudge, Reagan. Is there any way you can—

> ANM-566: (Interrupts) Oh come now, don't be such a stick-in-the-mud. You gotta have some fun with these things. Besides, what's the harm in a little saber-rattling? Keeps everybody on their toes.

Note: Following this interview, ANM-566 containment procedures were revised to limit topics of conversation. Staff are advised to avoid any mention of current international conflicts or military operations.

Addendum 566-C: Discovery

ANM-566 was discovered following a string of unusual geopolitical events in early 20██, which analysts traced back to comments made during a previously unknown radio broadcast originating from a decommissioned military bunker in ██████, California. The broadcast consisted of ANM-566 voice discussing hypothetical military scenarios, each of which subsequently unfolded within days.

Institute MOTHRA agents located ANM-566 at the bunker, where it appeared to be hosting a radio show. The equipment was outdated and non-functional by conventional standards, yet ANM-566-US seemed to broadcast effortlessly. When confronted, ANM-566 greeted the agents with, "Well, looks like my ratings finally caught up to me. Do I get a bigger studio, or is this the part where you folks take me to your secret underground base?"

Addendum 566-D: Experiment Logs

To better understand the limits and mechanics of ANM-566 abilities, controlled tests were conducted where ANM-566 was asked to comment on fictional geopolitical scenarios. In every case, conflicts did not manifest, suggesting ANM-566 abilities only affect real-world situations with pre-existing tensions.

Test 566-12: ANM-566 was asked to comment on a fictional country named "Norfalia" allegedly building nuclear weapons. ANM-566 quipped, "Well, if Norfalia wants to play with the big boys, they better have a big stick." No incidents were reported, and Norfalia does not exist.

Test 566-18: ANM-566 joked about "invading Atlantis," remarking, "Well, I always wanted a beachfront property." No anomalous effects occurred.

Test 566-21:

Objective: To determine whether ANM-566 influence extends to historical scenarios. ANM-566 was informed of a "newly discovered" conflict in ancient history involving the fictional "Kingdom of Phandalin," which was allegedly preparing to attack "the Empire of Zog."

Result: AMM-566 chuckled and said, "Well, if Phandalin wants to pick a fight with Zog, they better have a good battle plan. Maybe hire some mercenaries while they're at it." No historical evidence of any conflict involving Phandalin and Zog surfaced, suggesting that ANM-566 cannot retroactively affect history.

Test 566-23:

Objective: To test ANM-566 influence over hypothetical extraterrestrial conflicts. ANM-566 was asked what it would do if a fleet of alien ships approached Earth, claiming to be from the "Andromedan Federation."

Result: ANM-566 grinned and said, "Well, I'd just invite them over for a summit, then slip a few jelly beans into their fuel tanks to see what happens. Who knows, maybe they'd take a liking to Earth and declare a friendly invasion." No extraterrestrial contact occurred following the experiment, suggesting ANM-566 influence is limited to Earth-based events.

Test 566-25:

Objective: To understand the specific limits of ANM-566 war-inducing abilities by involving peaceful nations. ANM-566 was asked for its thoughts on "MOTHRA Peace Initiative," a fictional proposal aimed at convincing the countries of Norway and Switzerland to go to war over control of the world's best chocolate.

Result: ANM-566 laughed and said, "Well, that’s one sweet conflict. But let’s face it, even if Norway and Switzerland did go to war, the worst that would happen is a snowball fight." No evidence of heightened tensions appeared between Norway and Switzerland, indicating ANM-566 influence may require pre-existing political tensions.

Test 566-28:

Objective: To determine if ANM-566 can influence non-state actors. ANM-566 was asked about a fictitious terrorist organization called "The Purple Dragon Brigade" supposedly planning a major attack.

Result: ANM-566 leaned back and said, "Well, if these Purple Dragons want to cause trouble, I'd just send in a few knights to slay them. Problem solved." No incidents involving an organization with that name occurred, reinforcing the hypothesis that ANM-566 abilities are limited to influencing recognized nation-states or established factions.

Test 566-30:

Objective: To observe ANM-566 effects on the outcome of ongoing, low-intensity conflicts. ANM-566 was briefed on the situation in ████████, where minor skirmishes between local militias were occurring.

Result: ANM-566 remarked, "Ah, just some good old-fashioned neighborly disputes. If I were running the show, I'd tell them to settle it over a game of checkers. Or maybe thumb wrestling—much more civilized." Within two days, both militias unexpectedly agreed to a ceasefire for a "peaceful competition" involving various games, though the situation soon resumed its prior level of hostilities.

Test 566-32:

Objective: To test ANM-566 ability to influence entirely abstract or metaphorical "wars." ANM-566 was told about a "war on boredom" supposedly being fought by an international coalition of artists and philosophers.

Result: ANM-566 quipped, "Well, if they're waging a war on boredom, then I'm your secret weapon. Just give me a microphone and I'll talk about tax policy until everyone falls asleep." No significant cultural changes or mass outbreaks of boredom-related issues were reported. ANM-566 influence appears to be tied specifically to traditional concepts of war and conflict.

Incident 566-36:

During a routine examination of containment, ANM-566 spontaneously commented, "You know, the best way to get people to work together is to give them a common enemy. Or just send 'em all to a really long meeting. Either way, they’ll end up fighting someone." Within the following week, Site-██ experienced a series of escalating interdepartmental disputes over meeting schedules, resulting in multiple memos recommending an overhaul of site-wide communication procedures.

Conclusion: ANM-566 appears to have the ability to escalate or instigate real-world conflicts, but its anomalous effects do not extend to fictional or entirely peaceful situations.

Addendum 566-E: Humorous Anecdote Archive

The following are examples of ANM-566 humorous statements recorded during containment:

"You know, back when I was president, we didn't have these fancy smartphones. If we wanted to start a war, we had to do it the old-fashioned way—with a strongly worded telegram!"

"So, what do you call it when a president starts a conflict just for kicks? The Oval Ordeal, of course!"

"If I had a dollar for every war I could've started… well, I'd have enough to buy Greenland."

"You know, I was thinking of writing a book called 'War and Me,' but then I thought, why not just let history do the writing? Much less work."

"I once said, 'Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!' I didn't mean all the walls! Now everyone’s tearing things down, and I can't keep up. Who knew I was such a trendsetter?"

"You ever think about how much easier my job would’ve been if Twitter had existed in the '80s? I could’ve just tweeted, ‘Nuke 'em,’ and gone golfing."

"Back in my day, we didn’t need drones to bomb people from the sky; we had good old-fashioned bombers flown by people with a sense of adventure. Ah, those were the days."

"Someone asked me if I miss being president. I said, 'Only on the days when there's a big military parade. Or when there's leftover cake in the breakroom.'"

"You know, sometimes I like to think of myself as the world’s greatest improv comedian—except my punchlines start wars. That’s gotta be worth something, right?"

"I thought about starting a new Cold War, but then I remembered how much I hated shoveling snow in D.C."

"They call it the 'War on Terror,' but it seems like they’re fighting a losing battle if they still let me make suggestions, don't you think?"

Incident Report 566-F:

During a containment breach at Site-██, ANM-566 managed to access a MOTHRA intercom and broadcast a short monologue: "Folks, I’d like to announce my campaign for world peace. Just kidding, let's keep it interesting out there, shall we?" Within the following week, multiple minor border skirmishes occurred across three continents. ANM-566 was found in the Site cafeteria, eating a bowl of jelly beans, claiming, "I was just making sure everyone was still paying attention."

Notes:

ANM-566 humorous demeanor and self-awareness make it deceptively dangerous. While it does not appear to harbor malicious intent, its jokes can have significant consequences. Therefore, interactions with ANM-566 must be handled delicately to avoid unintentionally triggering global incidents.

[zvaigzdelasas]

[RFA is US State Media]

The Philippines will no longer seek financial aid from China for a package of ambitious railway projects, the transportation secretary said, adding that officials were confident the projects could move ahead with funding from interested sources.

China had been slated to build two of the rail lines on the main Philippine island of Luzon and the third on southern Mindanao island, officials said. 

The Marcos administration announced the decision to drop the Chinese loans amid tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea and days after a pair of minor collisions in disputed waters between ships and boats from both nations. 

Philippine Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the territorial tensions were not tied to this decision.[...]

["]our government is looking for other sources of funding.”[...]

Less than a month after Duterte left office in mid-2022, Ernesto Pernia, who had served as his socioeconomic planning secretary, said the Philippines would be wise to drop the three Chinese-backed projects.

“Much better to deal with ODA with Japan, South Korea, Australia, the U.S. and the E.U.,” Pernia told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated news outlet, at the time while using an acronym for official development assistance. [...]

Rates through the China-based lending agency Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), were “significantly higher” compared to funding from Japan or South Korean ODAs, Gatchalian said. [...]

Biden criticized Chinese ships for acting “dangerously and unlawfully as our Philippine friends conducted a routine resupply mission within … their own exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea,” according to a transcript from the White House. 

“I want to be very clear: The United States’ defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad,” Biden said. “Any attack on the Filipino aircraft, vessels, or armed forces will invoke our Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines.” 

In an apparent response to Biden, the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Thursday said that the “escalation of activities has been inflated by the U.S. actions.” 

“Since the beginning of this year, the U.S. has been blatantly emboldening the Philippines’ acts of infringing upon China’s sovereignty and inciting and supporting the Philippines’ attempts to repair and reinforce its warship that was deliberately grounded on Ren’ai Jiao,” it said, using the Chinese name for the shoal. 

26 Oct 23

[flagwars]

People’s Flag Wars: Round 1, Bracket 11

See the symbolism below.

Coptic Egypt is a flag by @arthurdrakoni.

Symbolism: “This is the flag of Coptic Egypt.  It comes from a world where Islam was never founded.  One of the many consequences of this was that the Byzantine Empire continued to prosper for a number of years.  Eventually, however, tensions began to grow within the empire.  Egypt began to feel that Constantinople was giving them the short end of the stick a bit too often.  Egypt's main grievances were increased taxes and increased tensions between the Coptic and Orthodox churches. After a brief war, Egypt was granted its independence.  Despite this, Egypt retains good relations with Byzantium.  It also maintains good relations with fellow Oriental Orthodox nations Ethiopia and Armenia.  Egypt has traditionally been a hub of trade, and following its independence work began on a canal in the Sinai Peninsula.  Egypt established traditions ports in India and China.  It also established colonies in Australia, which is known as New Egypt, as well as a few minor colonies in South America.

The wealth from its trade and colonies has made Egypt a very rich nation.  People and goods from throughout the world can be found across Egypt's cities.  Currently there is something of an architectural fad based around reinterpretations of Ancient Egyptian architecture.  Egypt also has a reputation for having some of the best universities and centers of learning in the world.  It is a nation which honors its past while keeping an eye towards the future.

The flag contains a Coptic Cross to represent Egypt's Coptic faith.  The background represents the sands of Egypt, while the blue bands stands for the waters of the Nile River.  The writing is in the Coptic Script and reads "Jesus Christ, Son of God".”

Forest City Flag is a flag by @forestcityflag.

Symbolism: “The Forest City is a new flag for Cleveland, highlighting both our history and environment. The blue top half represents Lake Erie, our very own inland sea. The green bottom half represents the Forest City nickname and the Emerald Necklace of our Metroparks. The wavy chevron in the center represents the Cuyahoga River winding its way through downtown. The pattern is inspired by a design from Moses Cleaveland's coat of arms (he's the guy who invented Cleveland). At the same time, the upward facing arrow is reminiscent of the city's motto "Progress and Prosperity," pointing up towards the future.”

New Jersey Autonomous Zone is a flag by @lil-tachyon.

Symbolism: “The design is based on the original New Jersey flag but re-imagined in the context of some kind of anarcho-communist future. The buff field of the NJ flag is replaced by the bisected black/red used by anarcho-communists and syndicalists. The coat of arms has the godesses Liberty and Ceres replaced by workers wielding a sickle and hammer, the horse head replaced by the head of the Jersey Devil, a yellow Star backed by a slice of pork roll replacing the helmet, and tomatoes and cranberries flanking the star. The motto is changed from "Liberty and Prosperity" to "Trenton Makes, The World Takes," the words infamously featured on the Lower Trenton Bridge.”

[tuulikki]

China has sent dozens of coast guard and maritime militia vessels toward a disputed atoll in the South China Sea, a large show of force aimed at blocking a civilian protest flotilla from the Philippines, as tensions between the countries have flared. The Filipino group organizing the flotilla of about 100 small fishing boats, led by five slightly bigger ones, said it wanted to assert the Philippines’ claims to Scarborough Shoal, an atoll controlled by Beijing that is closer to Manila. But even before the motley Philippine fleet set out on Wednesday morning, China deployed a formidable contingent of much bigger government-run ships to the area, an intimidating escalation of its frequent assertions of control over vast expanses of sea far from its mainland.

Standoffs and close brushes between Filipino coast guard or civilian vessels and China’s larger coast guard and militia ships — which have used powerful water cannons to drive Philippine vessels away — have become more frequent in the past two years. This time, the size of the Chinese presence and the large number of civilian Filipino boats could make any encounter near the shoal more risky, Mr. Powell said. “If China decides that they want to send the message that says, ‘We’ve had enough of this,’ then the scary thing you would not want to see is one of these small Filipino fishing boats hit by a water cannon, because that would not end well,” he said.

[unitedventurez]

Philippines Bans Online Casinos Linked to Scam Centers: An In-Depth Look

In a decisive move to curb criminal activities, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the shutdown of a vast network of online casinos that have been implicated in numerous illicit operations. These online casinos, known locally as Pogos, short for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, primarily serve players in mainland China, where gambling is prohibited. However, Pogos have increasingly been used as fronts for a range of criminal activities, including telephone scams, human trafficking, and other serious offenses.

A Troubled Industry

Under the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, Pogos flourished as part of his administration's efforts to foster friendly relations with China. However, President Marcos, in his annual address to parliament, called for an end to the "desecration of our country." He criticized Pogos for masquerading as legitimate entities while engaging in financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and even murder.

On Tuesday, the Philippines' gaming regulator announced plans to cancel the licenses of Pogos and phase out the sector by the end of the year. According to government estimates, the Pogo industry comprises over 400 licensed and unlicensed operations, employing around 40,000 people directly and indirectly. Despite generating an estimated 166.5 billion pesos ($2.9 billion) in annual revenue, the industry's economic costs are estimated to be much higher at 266 billion pesos annually.

Criminal Links and National Spotlight

The alleged connection between Pogos and criminal rings came under national scrutiny after a Pogo in a small town was discovered to be a front for a scam center. The town's mayor, Alice Guo, is accused of being a Chinese spy and is currently in hiding. Additionally, clandestine hospitals linked to Pogos were found to be offering plastic surgery services to fugitives and scam center workers to help them evade arrest.

Geopolitical Implications

Since assuming office, President Marcos has reversed the Philippines' pivot towards China, initiated by his predecessor Duterte, and has moved closer to the United States, the country's historic ally. Analysts suggest that the ban on Pogos could be interpreted as an effort to further distance the Philippines from China. Both nations are embroiled in a territorial dispute over the South China Sea, with tensions escalating in recent months.

"Pogos' presence has ceased to be a mere law and order problem. It has been linked to China's creeping 'occupation' of the Philippines for ordinary Filipinos," stated Jean Encinas-Franco, a professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She added that Marcos' decision could be seen as a rebuke to Duterte's open Pogo policy, potentially boosting his approval ratings ahead of the crucial mid-term elections in 2025.

Local Reactions

The ban on Pogos has been welcomed by various sectors within the Philippines. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual told local media that the decision makes the country more attractive to those seeking leisure, as Pogos have created a negative impression associated with violence. George Barcelon, chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed his approval, stating that Pogos attract undesirable individuals and endanger the moral fabric of the nation.

The Path Forward

As the Philippines moves to dismantle the Pogo industry, the government faces the challenge of managing the economic and social impacts of the shutdown. While the ban is expected to improve the country's image and reduce crime, it will also require addressing the displacement of thousands of workers and finding alternative sources of revenue to compensate for the loss from the Pogo sector.

The bold decision by President Marcos to shut down Pogos marks a significant step in addressing the intertwined issues of crime and international relations. As the country navigates this complex transition, the global community will be watching closely to see the long-term effects on the Philippines' economy, society, and geopolitical standing.

[marcksnow]

The South China Sea Dispute: Unraveling the Nine-Dash Line

The South China Sea dispute has been a long-standing issue, marked by conflicting territorial claims and geopolitical tensions. Central to this dispute is China's contentious "Nine-Dash Line," which purports to assert Beijing's sovereignty over nearly the entire West Philippine Sea, encompassing the Kalayaan Group of Islands. This essay delves into the historical and legal aspects of China's Nine-Dash Line and highlights the Philippines' counterclaims, particularly drawing attention to the 1734 Murillo Velarde map.

The Origin and Legitimacy of China's Nine-Dash Line:

China's Nine-Dash Line first appeared on Chinese maps in 1947, with Beijing using it as a basis for asserting historical claims to vast maritime areas in the South China Sea. However, the international community has consistently questioned the legitimacy of this demarcation. In a significant development, an international tribunal ruled on July 12, 2016, that the Nine-Dash Line had "no legal basis" for making maritime claims. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague delivered this verdict, effectively challenging China's historical claims over the South China Sea.

The Philippines' Historical and Legal Claims:

Contrary to China's assertions, the Philippines has put forth both historical and legal claims to the disputed territories, backed by compelling evidence. A key piece of evidence in the Philippines' favor is the 1734 Murillo Velarde map. This historic map played a pivotal role in the Philippines' victory against China's ownership claims in the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The Murillo Velarde map, originally printed in the 18th century, resided in the basement of Alnwick Castle for two centuries, part of the Duke of Northumberland's collection. This map serves as a testament to the Philippines' long-standing presence and historical connection to the South China Sea, particularly the West Philippine Sea.

The Problematic Nature of China's Claims:

China's assertion of sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea remains problematic on multiple fronts. Firstly, it lacks historical and legal basis, as affirmed by the international tribunal's ruling. Secondly, the unilateral drawing of the Nine-Dash Line by Chinese authorities raises concerns about its validity and its impact on regional stability.

Conclusion:

The South China Sea dispute, epitomized by China's Nine-Dash Line, continues to be a source of contention in international politics. While China insists on its historical claims, the Philippines has presented compelling historical and legal evidence to challenge these assertions. The 1734 Murillo Velarde map stands as a symbol of the Philippines' enduring connection to the region. Ultimately, a resolution to this dispute should be sought through diplomacy and adherence to international law, fostering peace and stability in the South China Sea.

References:

[sataniccapitalist]

“China has released an updated map for a southern city, established to reinforce its claims in the South China Sea, showing new labels for Paracel and Spratly districts, which were formally created in 2020 but had not appeared on maps until now.”