The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday, March 29, that it has intensified its maritime security protocols following the arrest of two Chinese nationals caught using falsified travel documents to enter Jolo, Sulu. The suspects were apprehended by personnel of the Coast Guard Station Zamboanga...
Philippine security officials reaffirmed Manila’s commitment to uphold the 2016 arbitral ruling in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) against China and strengthen defense partnerships with allies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said. AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (US Indopacom) carried out joint maritime drills in Manila Bay and waters off Mariveles, Bataan over the weekend to improve their interoperability. Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of AFP...
Ferry passengers may soon face higher fares and fewer trips as the maritime industry grapples with surging global oil prices, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said. The Marina announced on Monday, March 16, that it has allowed domestic shipping operators to raise passenger fares by up to 20...
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, on Tuesday, March 10, lamented the failure to procure a P2.5-billion patrol vessel for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), calling it a lost opportunity to strengthen the country’s maritime capability. In a privilege speech, Zubiri disclosed that...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) pushed back against criticism from whom it called “casual commentators” and “self-styled extras,” saying it will not allow performative rhetoric to distract from its diplomatic work in defending Philippine maritime interests. In remarks reaffirming...
The Philippines’ first-ever maritime affairs spokesman has urged the Chinese embassy in Manila to “be constructive in its statements” amid its escalating word war with Filipino officials. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Maritime Affairs spokesman Rogelio Villanueva on Wednesday, Feb. 11,...
Despite the Philippines having multiple spokespersons on maritime, the country 's stance and messaging over maritime issues will remain consistent and unified, Malacañang said. The existing spokespersons tackling maritime issues, such as the West Philippine Sea and National Maritime Council,...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has installed its first-ever spokesperson for maritime affairs to ensure sea disputes are managed diplomatically in public amid the reported appeal of the country 's top diplomat to tone down South China Sea rhetoric being made by Filipino...
A Chinese navy vessel repeatedly challenged a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight over Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Friday, Feb. 6, a ranking official said. The PCG, in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries...
ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Transportation (DOTR) has ordered a complete maritime safety audit and the grounding of the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines following the sinking of the MV Trisha Kirsten 3 on Monday in Basilan. The order was announced by DOTR Secretary Giovanni...
The West Philippine Sea dispute is a long-term, intergenerational challenge that demands restraint, consistency, and firm adherence to international law, a maritime official said, as the Philippines continues to face aggressive actions and rhetoric from China. In an interview with state-run PTV-4,...
