A personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was injured when a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fired water cannon at a Philippine vessel during a humanitarian mission in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Tuesday, Sept. 16. A...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) observed a shift in China’s approach in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) after a Chinese warship invoked “sovereign immunity” to justify its presence inside the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). A Jiangkai-class frigate with bow number “551”...
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro revealed that maritime protection and concerns will be one of the priorities that the Philippines will pursue in its chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year. In her message for the Maritime and...
The Philippines takes the lead in pushing for increased seafarers’ protection by calling for “meaningful action” among maritime stakeholders to discuss major issues affecting the industry and the sustainability of global shipping. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa...
The Philippines will not alter its resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal despite a reported increase in Chinese vessel activities in the area, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said. In an interview, NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez told reporters in Manila that Chinese...
New Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown reaffirmed his country’s commitment to further deepen maritime cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Innes-Brown paid a courtesy call on PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan in Manila on Saturday, Aug. 30. They...
The Philippine Navy (PN) and the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) have reinforced their maritime cooperation with the launch of the Maritime Training Activity (MTA) MALPHI LAUT 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, the PN said Saturday, Aug. 30. Lt. Andrei Balde, spokesperson of the Naval Task Group (NTG) 80.5, said...
The Philippine Army (PA) is bolstering its external defense posture through expanded cooperation with the United States Army on joint operations and maritime security. Army Chief Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete received US Army I Corps Commanding General Lt. Gen. Matthew McFarlane and 6th Battalion,...
The Philippines is getting ready for the “worst scenario” in the West Philippine Sea amid China’s continuous aggressive moves, National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Alexander Lopez said on Monday, Aug. 18. During the 2nd Quarter National Maritime Council Press Conference in Manila,...
The Philippine government ruled out deploying Navy ships to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) a week after the collision of two Chinese vessels in the tension-filled waters, the National Maritime Council (NMC) announced Monday, Aug. 18. NMC spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez...
The National Maritime Council (NMC) said the collision of two Chinese vessels in Bajo de Masinloc was entirely due to their own actions. In a statement over the August 11 incident at the Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, the NMC expressed concern over the "aggressive and...
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to strengthen its partnership with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) following the recent signing of a new agreement aimed at strengthening their maritime cooperation. PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan exchanged the Terms of Reference (ToR) on Enhanced...
