The Department of National Defense (DND) has signed a P5.36-billion contract with an Anglo-Italian firm for the procurement of two anti-submarine helicopters, which would be the first of its kind in the Philippine military’s armament. “This will definitely enhance the capability of the Philippine Navy,” said Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo. “For the first time, we’ll […]

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s maritime authority said Tuesday Chinese Coast Guard vessels escorted about a hundred Chinese fishing trawlers into Malaysia’s territorial waters near Luconia Shoals in the South China Sea last week. “It is unprecedented. This is the first time,” Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency Director General Admiral Ahmad Puzi Abdul Kahar told reporters of […]

Defense Secretary Ash Carter, in a speech at a World Affairs Council gala in Washington, said five evolving challenges now driving the Pentagon’s planning and budgeting were Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and international terrorism. AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta WASHINGTON – The Pentagon on Tuesday reaffirmed its call to all countries with conflicting claims to parts […]

China would face more conflicts with its Asian neighbors if it ignores an upcoming ruling of an international tribunal on the South China Sea disputes, a senior US State Department official said Tuesday. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Colin Willett, in a telephone press conference with Southeast Asian journalists, said China should view the arbitration […]

Indonesian president Joko Widodo’s strategy for reinforcing state sovereignty and strengthening maritime integrity is being tested with the latest incursion by Chinese fishing boats into Indonesian waters off the Natuna islands. Indonesian Minister for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti’s public criticism of China’s activities is the first step in what’s likely to become a […]

Chinese dredging ships in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, in an image from a surveillance video. US Navy, file MANILA, Philippines – The United States (US) on Tuesday stressed that China does not have a valid reason in its attempt to restrict freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed South China […]

The Luconia Shoals, divided into the North and South Luconia Shoals, and sometimes known as the Luconia Reefs, are one of the largest and least-known reef complexes in the South China Sea. Bing Maps KUALA LUMPUR – About 100 Chinese-registered boats have been detected encroaching in Malaysian waters near the Luconia Shoals in the South […]

Lawmakers want existing plans for a new ‘base’ in the Natunas to get a closer look. Last week, a Chinese coast guard ship once again attempted to intercept an Indonesian crackdown on a Chinese boat for illegal fishing near the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea, sparking unprecedented outrage from Jakarta. Though Indonesia is […]

An expert has argued that Indonesia is in a weak position in regards to its maritime disputes with China following an incident in the Natuna Sea because Indonesian patrol boats are not recognized by the International Maritime Organization. In accordance with a 1982 United Nations convention, the international community only recognizes two types of boats […]

The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on Monday welcomed the Declaration adopted by the European Union (EU) on recent developments in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The Declaration, issued by the union’s High Representative on March 11, highlights the need to ensure “maritime safety, security and cooperation, freedom of navigation […]