The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on Saturday, May 23, welcomed the Class of 2030, the first batch of cadets who may formally enter the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) upon graduation under a new government-backed officer allocation program meant to tighten coordination between the country’s...
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. traveled to Pag-asa (Thitu) Island on Friday, May 22, to personally recognize troops stationed in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and honor their sacrifice. The visit came as tensions continue in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)...
A Chinese military helicopter closely approached a Dutch naval frigate navigating the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the ship’s commander revealed on Friday, May 22, upon arriving in Manila for a historic three-day goodwill visit. Commander Rodger de Wit, commanding officer of the Royal Netherlands...
Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Thursday, May 21 reiterated his opposition to China’s repeated assertion of “indisputable sovereignty” over the West Philippine Sea and its warning of action to defend its claims over the country’s maritime assets. Estrada, in particular, criticized China’s...
The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday, May 20, dismissed the latest complaints from China regarding ongoing infrastructure projects on Pag-asa (Thitu) Island and Lawak (Nanshan) Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as it maintained that all activities within these features are...
The National Maritime Council (NMC) flagged the presence of Chinese maritime surveillance research vessels in three areas off Luzon, particularly those allegedly conducting scientific research near Pag-asa Cay. "Kinokondena ng National Maritime Council ang presensya ng mga MSR vessels na ito...
The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday, May 19, highlighted longer endurance at sea and growing fleet strength as it steps up its presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), noting that modern platforms now allow sustained patrols and wider maritime coverage compared to previous years. PN-Philippine...
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it drove away a Chinese research vessel that had been allegedly conducting “unauthorized” marine scientific research (MSR) near cays within the territorial sea of Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a statement on Sunday night, May...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday, May 10, welcomed moves by Japan to loosen restrictions on defense exports as Manila pushes ahead with military modernization amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Philippine Navy (PN) reservist and retired rear admiral Roy...
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have adopted a declaration strengthening maritime cooperation and reaffirming commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes in regional waters in accordance with international law. The ASEAN Leaders’...
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — President Marcos has pushed for the establishment of an ASEAN Maritime Center in the Philippines, saying growing uncertainty in the South China Sea has made regional coordination and maritime cooperation more urgent. Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the...
China continues to conduct marine scientific research (MSR) within the country’s waters in the West Philippine Sea, with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) saying it was backed by a Chinese Coast Guard ship and militia vessels. Based on its latest maritime patrol, the PCG reported that it spotted...
