9 of 10 Pinoys: Retake China-held islands

There is overwhelming support among Filipinos for getting back Philippine islands that had been seized by China in the West Philippine Sea, according to survey results released on Saturday. The June 27-30 survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed 87 percent, or about nine of 10 adult Filipinos, believe it was important to regain […]

Philippine police disperse group protesting US, China

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine riot police used shields and a water hose Saturday to disperse more than 100 left-wing activists in front of the U.S. Embassy in Manila in a confrontation that injured more than a dozen protesters. The farmers and workers belonging to the militant Bayan group burned cardboard showing the U.S. and […]

CRS cites concerns about growing Chinese control in South China Sea

China’s actions in recent years in the South China Sea (SCS), including its island-building and base-construction activities at the sites it occupies in the Spratly Islands, have heightened concerns that the country is rapidly gaining effective control of the SCS, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) said in a report released on 17 July. Short of […]

South China Sea: UK could send aircraft carrier to back Australian vessels

The 65,000-tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest warship to be built in Britain. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Australia and the UK are discussing plans for the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to be sent to the Pacific amid tensions over China’s militarisation in the South China Sea. The Australian defence minister, Marise […]

Ex-solgen Hilbay says federal charter allows joint dev’t with China

MANILA, Philippines — The proposed charter of President Duterte’s consultative committee (Concom) allows China to undertake joint development with the Philippines in disputed areas of the South China Sea, former solicitor general Florin Hilbay said yesterday. In an interview the other day with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News channel, Hilbay pointed out that […]

Palace downplays US sanction vs PH regarding Russia arms deal

The Philippines is not bound by United States laws, Malacañang said on Thursday, as it dismissed possible sanctions from Washington if Manila pushes through with its purchase of grenade launchers from a blacklisted Russian firm. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, a former international law professor, said Washington could not enforce US laws to the Philippines. “As […]

Up close with the man tasked to implement US’ military policy in South China Sea

Editor’s Note: Admiral Philip Davidson faced the media for the first time recently on his 7th week as the new commander of the Indo Pacific Command. GMA News’ Chino Gaston was there. When journalists covering the 2018 Rim of the Pacific Exercises were told we were meeting with the US Indo-Pacific Command commander Admiral Philip […]