Many find it weird why focus was on an uncontested area instead of the West Philippine Sea where Filipinos are increasingly frustrated over the seemingly inadequate response of the Philippines to China’s relentless intrusions into our exclusive economic zone. But the attention drawn last week to the Philippine Rise, formerly called Benham Rise, when President […]

THE creeping expansion of China into our so-called territory may cause extreme alarm to the citizens of the Republic of the Philippines. Their apprehension may escalate, depending on the speed the present administration dispenses favors to China and any other foreign country. His (President Duterte) recent pronouncements do not augur well for the country: asserting […]

MANILA—The Philippines would waive its rights over the West Philippine Sea should it agree to a joint oil and gas exploration with China, former solicitor general Florin Hilbay said Saturday. China vows to have ‘prudent’ oil exploration with Philippines China must recognize PH ownership of resources before joint exploration: Carpio “That’s rather blatantly unconstitutional. It’s […]

Amid South China Sea dispute, President Rodrigo Duterte balks at pushing back after landmark maritime rights ruling. Manila, Philippines – “I cannot go to war with China,” says Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte whenever he is pressed about his country’s challenged sovereignty claim over a portion of the South China Sea. It’s the same line he […]

MANILA, Philippines — Responding to the Pentagon’s withdrawal of its invitation to participate in a multinational naval exercise, China justified its militarization of the disputed South China Sea. The US disinvited China to the 2018 Rim of the Pacific exercise in Hawaii as an “initial response” to Beijing’s increasing militarization in the region. “It is […]

The Philippines has finally started the long overdue repairs for the runway on Pagasa Island (Thitu) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Satellite images from May 17 show two barges anchored off the western edge of Pagasa’s “crumbling airstrip,” the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies’ (CSIS) Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (Amti) […]

The Philippines has finally started the long overdue repairs for the runway on Pagasa Island (Thitu) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Satellite images from May 17 show two barges anchored off the western edge of Pagasa’s “crumbling airstrip,” the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies’ (CSIS) Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (Amti) […]

MANILA – Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio on Friday warned that Subi Reef (Zamora Reef) in the disputed Spratly Islands could soon see bombers and fighter jets landing on its runway. The magistrate, a foremost advocate of the Philippines’ claims in the South China Sea, said this in light of a recent report that the […]

TAIPEI — Beijing weathered only light protests against its reported missile installations in the Spratly Islands, making it easier to strengthen its military outposts in the disputed South China Sea, analysts say. Vietnam demanded May 8 that China remove any missiles but did not push further. The Philippines has “active mechanisms” to discuss militarization of […]

Protests Over, China Seen More Empowered to Militarize a Disputed Sea TAIPEI — Beijing weathered only light protests against its reported missile installations in the Spratly Islands, making it easier to strengthen its military outposts in the disputed South China Sea, analysts say. Vietnam demanded May 8 that China remove any missiles but did not […]