The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines after China test-launched an unarmed intercontinental-range ballistic missile from a submarine into the southern Pacific Ocean. In a statement on Tuesday, July 7, US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton said the launch...
As the country approaches the 10th anniversary of its landmark arbitration victory against China, an independent think tank called on the national government to prioritize the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to better counter evolving threats in the West Philippine Sea...
President Marcos has described Beijing 's sanctions against Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. as "very unhelpful," saying the move only raises tensions and does little to advance discussions aimed at managing disputes in the West Philippine Sea. Speaking to...
President Marcos said he is concerned that future Philippine administrations could take a different approach to the West Philippine Sea issue after his term, warning that consistency is crucial in defending the country 's sovereign rights and territorial integrity. Speaking during a media...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday, July 4, called on more local government units (LGUs) to declare July 12 as “West Philippine Sea (WPS) Victory Day” following similar moves by Cebu City and Labrador, Pangasinan to commemorate the country 's 2016 arbitral victory....
Canada has reaffirmed its support for the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea as Manila and Ottawa moved to further deepen their defense and security cooperation following talks between President Marcos and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Speaking during a joint press conference following their...
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will acquire new aircraft and build strategic air bases in the northern and western frontiers to further expand its operational reach in preparation for a more complex security environment. Speaking before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Colonel Jesus Villamor Air...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) completed a two-day bilateral maritime exercise near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite being shadowed by four Chinese vessels throughout the activity. The...
The Department of National Defense (DND) on Sunday, June 28, accused the Chinese Embassy in Manila of showing “insincerity” and “duplicity” as the exchange between the Philippines and China over the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling intensified days before its 10th anniversary. DND...
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said he is unfazed by sanctions imposed by China as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, June 23, also dismissed as a “joke” claims that military officers were preparing to file cases against him. Speaking in a...
More unilateral, bilateral, and multilateral patrols will be conducted near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the coming months, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed on Tuesday, June 23, following the detection of a movable floating...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday, June 22, strongly rejected the recent statement of the Chinese Embassy in Manila questioning the validity of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, reiterating that the landmark ruling remains final, binding, and an integral part of international...