SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and the United States conducted joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea on Friday, February 9, the Philippine military said, the latest round of drills underlining ongoing expansion of their defense ties. Security engagements between the treaty allies have soared in the past year, at a time of […]
SUMMARY The following are the remarks of retired Supreme Court justice Antonio T. Carpio at the forum on the High Seas Treaty sponsored jointly by the Stratbase ADR Institute and the Japanese embassy on February 8, 2024. We are publishing with permission. The High Seas Treaty was approved by the UN General Assembly last June […]
SUMMARY Like a doughnut, the much hyped “Bagong Pilipinas,” President Marcos’ rallying cry for his administration, has a big hole. While it promises a sky full of stars – an “environment that provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos” and the “attainment of comprehensive policy reforms…” – it leaves out the seas. “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) does not situate the […]
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Filipino bishops rebuked China in a rare statement about the West Philippine Sea dispute, and said it is “morally permissible” to take refuge in “the friendship of allies” if diplomacy fails. The statement, dated Thursday, February 8, but sent in advance to reporters over the weekend, was signed by six Roman […]
SUMMARY SHANGHAI, China – China said on Saturday, February 3, a small civilian vessel from the Philippines had “illegally placed itself on the beach” of an atoll in the South China Sea that both countries claim. The vessel, which landed on the Spratly Islands atoll on Friday, February 2, was there for supply purposes, the China […]
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines on Friday, February 2, completed a rotation and resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, its makeshift military outpost in Ayungin Shoal. The completed mission was confirmed in a post on X, formerly Twitter, by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla. Padilla, in a tweet […]
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the third phase of the military’s modernization, which includes the purchase of the country’s first submarine, in order to defend its maritime sovereignty in the disputed South China Sea. Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Roy Trinidad, said on Thursday, February 1, the third […]
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – For his first bilateral visit for 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. put security and safety issues in the South China Sea at the forefront as he met with leaders from Vietnam, which also has claims in the critical waterway. In speeches delivered during meetings with Vietnamese President Võ Văn Thưởng and […]
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – “We know more about Mars siguro, than the deep ocean.” It was a Monday and the auditorium at the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) was packed with students and faculty members. In front, wearing a white shirt and a pair of shorts, was Cesar Villanoy. The 63-year-old […]
Every time the Philippines enters into security agreements or holds military exercises with its allies, you can count on China to come out with a strongly-worded statement expressing its displeasure. But nothing displeases the former empire more than engagements between the Philippines and the United States. So, in hopes of discouraging Filipinos from pursuing security […]