The Philippines and Vietnam are charting a “new” and “deeper” trajectory for their defense relationship amid a more volatile regional environment, proving that rival claimant-nations in the South China Sea (SCS) can cooperate civilizedly—a feat that Department of National Defense (DND)...
The Philippines and Vietnam reaffirmed their support for the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling, emphasizing the need to uphold international law and exercise self-restraint to maintain peace and stability in maritime disputes. In a joint statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) completed a five-day maritime cooperative activity (MCA) near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the military disclosed on Sunday, May 31, as China...
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are overhauling their operational blueprints, embracing modern domain warfare, and executing massive equipment upgrades to secure the country’s maritime territories against persistent Chinese aggression. Speaking at the...
Mamamayang Liberal (Ml) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has castigated China 's "entitled bully" posture , which has once again placed it at odds with the country’s position in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid talks of a joint energy exploration deal. This, as De Lima and her fellow members...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, May 26, signaled a broader push to strengthen the country’s coastal defense capability as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left for a four-day state visit to Japan that is expected to deepen Manila and Tokyo’s security ties. AFP spokesperson...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said strong public backing for the country’s position in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has strengthened its resolve to resist “coercive and illegal actions” by China in the country’s waters. AFP spokesperson for the WPS, retired admiral Roy Vincent...
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...
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...
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...