Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. fired back at Beijing on Tuesday, April 21, as China criticized the ongoing Exercise Balikatan between the Armed Forces of the Philippines, United States, and other allied forces, saying the drills are part of a “collective...
The country’s military exercises with the United States and other allied countries is sending a strong and clear message that the Philippines is not alone in pursuing rules-based international order in the West Philippine Sea, an international think tank said. Stratbase Institute president and...
Gaslighting and disinformation are among the biggest threats in the fight for the West Philippine Sea—and the head of the police forces in Mimaropa will not take it sitting down. On Saturday, April 18, Mimaropa regional director Brig. Gen. Jovencio Badua, Jr. led a regionwide activity as part of...
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...
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto met with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan on Tuesday, April 14, with both sides discussing bilateral relations, including tensions in the South China Sea and expanding economic cooperation. The Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) said the...
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...
