Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told China on Thursday to “lay off” an island occupied by Manila in the disputed South China Sea and said he would deploy his soldiers there if Beijing touches it. Duterte’s remarks, which he said was not a warning but rather a word of advice to a friend, follow a statement […]

The guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy transits the South China Sea in February 2018. It’s too late to constrain China’s creeping militarization and sovereignty claims over dozens of islands and reefs in the South and East China seas, experts say. China’s island-building and militarization efforts began early this decade. It now claims dozens of islands […]

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese fishermen around Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea should start leaving the area following the diplomatic protest filed by the Philippine government, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday. “Can you tell me what is — what other strong message can you give to them, except to leave the place,” Panelo […]

Manila seeks to maintain close ties with Beijing despite any potential tensions in the disputed South China Sea, President Duterte said, emphasizing that the Philippines and China have no issues that can’t be resolved politically. “If I go to war my Navy will be crushed in a matter of minutes. If I wage a war […]

The Philippines has protested the presence of more than 200 Chinese vessels that were sighted from January to March near a Philippine-occupied island in the disputed South China Sea, officials said. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Department of Foreign Affairs lodged the protest after the military monitored about 275 Chinese vessels near Thitu island, […]

MANILA (BLOOMBERG) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is maintaining a friendly tone towards China, even after defence officials raised concerns over an increased Chinese presence around a disputed island in the South China Sea. China isn’t after Philippine territory and hasn’t asked for anything in exchange for the weapons and aid it has given the […]

Networked platforms could aid Chinese enforcement against regional fishermen. China’s Ministry of National Defense has publicized new lightweight, remote sensing platforms, hinting that they may be deployed for military application in the South China Sea to aid protecting island construction and monitoring contested areas. The platforms were debuted recently at the 2019 Langkawi International Maritime […]

SOUTH China Sea tensions surged after a US Navy warship was spotted carrying twice the amount of fighter jets than usual. The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp was on its way to the annual Balikatan exercises in the Philippines, according to reports. The ship was carrying at least 10 F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, the […]

US Balikatan Exercise Director Chris McPhillips says the purpose of the exercises is to develop cooperation among Filipino, American, and Australian soldiers MANILA, Philippines – After US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave an assurance that his country would defend the Philippines in case of any armed attack in the South China Sea, will the […]

China is prepared to cooperate with the Philippines to verify the alleged presence of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island and handle the issue through “friendly and diplomatic channels,” allaying fears of an outbreak of conflict over the issue. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua made the assurance after the Philippine government moved to protest […]