The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, April 15, condemned as “irresponsible and unacceptable” the reported use of cyanide in Ayungin Shoal, warning of serious environmental damage and signaling a possible diplomatic response as it awaits the results of a scientific...
National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo M. Año on Wednesday, April 15, officially announced his permanent retirement from government service, stirring questions inside the security sector as tensions persist in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a statement sent to reporters, Año cited health...
More than 17,000 troops from the Philippines and six other countries are set to take part in the 41st iteration of the annual Exercise Balikatan, scheduled from April 20 to May 8. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, April 14, confirmed the participation of its counterparts from...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) monitored a total of 28 Chinese vessels across key features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the second week of this month. Data released by the military on Tuesday, April 14, showed the presence of Chinese People 's Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N)...
Oil and gas deals in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) must meet strict constitutional conditions, 1Sambayan said, as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) underscored that Philippine sovereignty will be upheld in any potential energy cooperation with China. In a statement issued on April 12, the...
Several bottles recovered from traditional Chinese boats near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last year were confirmed to have contained cyanide, a highly toxic chemical compound, raising fears of possible sabotage targeting fish supplies and coral reef in the area,...
A United States warship transported Philippine military engineering equipment to Palawan as part of a four-day Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed on Monday, April 13. USS Ashland (LSD-48), a dock...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in ongoing discussions to amend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the China Coast Guard (CCG), firmly rejecting claims that the negotiations are being conducted in...
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) unveiled a new command center in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on Thursday, April 9, to strengthen the country’s maritime security and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and Department of Transportation (DOTr)...
Chinese forces fired flares directly at the aircraft of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) while it was conducting maritime patrol over the Kalayaan Island Group on Thursday afternoon, April 9. The incident, which happened as the country observes Araw ng Kagitingan or Valor Day, was the latest of the...
On Araw ng Kagitingan or Valor Day, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has activated a district station at the Pagasa Island in a bid to further make its presence felt and assert the country’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez...
The push for joint energy exploration between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) met fierce opposition from a think tank, citing Beijing 's long history of maritime aggression against Filipinos. The Stratbase Institute, an independent international think-tank and...
