Malacañang rejected suggestions that the Philippines’ diplomatic stance in the South China Sea shows weakness, while also pushing back against China’s claim that Manila is acting as a “disruptor” in the region. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after Senator Erwin...
The Philippines and South Africa are expected to conclude its memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a defense agreement that would allow South Africa to help in modernizing Manila’s armed forces, Ambassador Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe said on Thursday, Aug. 28. The envoy told in a...
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The bodies of three fishermen who were reportedly killed during a fire at sea were retrieved by Maritime police and Coast Guard personnel off the coast of Parang municipality in Sulu province last Aug. 24 during search and rescue operations. The fatalities were identified as...
Sailors and marines onboard BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) drove away intruding Chinese vessels, effectively diffusing the tense situation in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed this on Sunday,...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted a multilateral maritime cooperative activity with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Saturday, Aug. 23, as part of the ongoing Exercise ALON. Philippine Navy (PN) guided missile...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal will continue under Manila’s Provisional Understanding with Beijing, despite reports of increased Chinese vessel activity in the area. “The rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP...
Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution urging the Executive Branch to exert legal and diplomatic pressure on the Chinese government to cease all ecologically destructive activities in the West Philippine Sea and to pay reparations for the damage they have already done in the area. In...
The Philippines is getting ready for the “worst scenario” in the West Philippine Sea amid China’s continuous aggressive moves, National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Alexander Lopez said on Monday, Aug. 18. During the 2nd Quarter National Maritime Council Press Conference in Manila,...
United States Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson affirmed that the US Navy’s recent operations in the Scarborough Shoal is critical to freedom of navigation in the region and the US’ role in upholding international maritime laws. Speaking on the sidelines of the welcome reception for US...
Elaiza Yulo hopes to step out of the shadows of her brothers, Carlos and Eldrew, as she aims to carve a name for herself by competing in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December. Gymnastic Association of the Philippines (GAP) president Cynthia Carrion she is sending Elaiza to the...
The Philippines will continue its maritime and aerial patrols in the West Philippine Sea despite a new incident involving a Chinese fighter jet performing “dangerous maneuvering” against a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aircraft, Malacañang said Thursday, Aug. 14. Communications Undersecretary...
The National Maritime Council (NMC) said the collision of two Chinese vessels in Bajo de Masinloc was entirely due to their own actions. In a statement over the August 11 incident at the Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, the NMC expressed concern over the "aggressive and...
