The number of Chinese vessels operating in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) increased slightly last week as verbal spat between Filipino and Chinese officials continued, spilling tensions in the contested waters into the diplomatic arena. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that 55 Chinese...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, that a Chinese naval vessel was monitored during a recent AFP–United States maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for WPS, said a People’s...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday, Jan. 27, that it was validating reports that a Filipino national is involved as a mercenary of Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military has taken note of the circulating...
The Philippine Army (PA) identified on Saturday, Jan. 24, the four soldiers who were killed in an ambush by suspected Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) remnants in Munai, Lanao del Norte. Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, PA commanding general, said the slain soldiers were Staff Sergent Diosito Araya,...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has intensified its monitoring patrols at the Malampaya gas field in Palawan to secure the country’s energy lifeline after the discovery of a new source of natural gas in the area. No less than General Romeo Brawner Jr., AFP Chief of Staff, personally led...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) teamed up to train military “cyber defenders” as digital threats increasingly affect modern warfare. The training is part of the five-day Military Cyber Security Operations Course (MSOC) being held from Jan. 19 to 23...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is tightening financial controls and enforcing accountability after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged P201.86 million in unliquidated cash advances and P72.86 million in unauthorized bank accounts in its 2024 audit. In a statement on Monday,...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has warned the public anew against social media posts and online content that claim divisions within the military, allege political realignments, or suggest that senior officers are backing certain political personalities. “These narratives are fake news...
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Friday, Jan. 16, formally activated an emergency response task group solely focused on ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings hosted by the Philippines this year. The OCD said...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Wednesday, Jan. 14, that it is prepared to support the crafting of a new modernization law as the current AFP Modernization Act is set to expire in 2027 amid rising regional security concerns and renewed focus on national sovereignty. AFP Deputy...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, Jan. 13, rejected claims of cracks within its ranks amid the investigation involving a Philippine Army (PA) officer who allegedly withdrew his support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said there...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) monitored 41 Chinese vessels in four key maritime features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the first week of 2026, a figure higher than the recent weekly average of 25. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the WPS, said monitoring...
