The price of double speak

Enough has been said about the resources of the West Philippine Sea, as well as on the economic and strategic interests the Philippines has — or should have! — in those features and marine zones it claims. I will take all that as given, and on that premise I bemoan the ambiguity of our official […]

The rise of Japanese militarism

  What the growth and change of Japan’s armed forces means for the world. There, floating calmly in the still waters of Tokyo Bay, was Japan’s future. Stretching over 800 feet long, the JS Izumo warship’s size made it stand out even as its dark gray exterior fused with the gloomy December sky. The largest […]

Declare South China Sea a ‘global common’ — expert

  MANILA, Philippines — Instead engaging in military posturing to press maritime claims, a defense and security expert suggested all claimant states should agree to declare the entire South China Sea as a global common. Clarita Carlos, a political science and foreign policy professor of the University of the Philippines, said claimant states should also […]

Duterte urges restraint, caution in South China Sea

  BEIJING – The Philippines and China should exercise “restraint and caution” to prevent an escalation of the tension in the South China Sea, President Duterte declared during his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The President pushed for peace and stability in the disputed waters after raising the Philippines’ concerns on the West […]

The Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte broached South China Sea ruling in meeting with China’s Xi Jinping

  BEIJING – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in a meeting this week with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, brought up the thorny issue of a 2016 arbitration award favoring his country in a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea, senior Philippine officials said Saturday. At the Thursday meeting in Beijing, Xi simply […]

South China Sea: Tensions ERUPT as US destroyers make ‘illegal’ move through Taiwan Strait

  SOUTH China Sea tensions have erupted following the transit of two US Navy destroyers through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday. The transit, which has been confirmed by officials, comes days after Beijing attacked France calling a similar transit “illegal”. There have been no reports of a response from China. The Pentagon said the voyage […]