Pointing out how “some neighbors” have been “stealing” the Philippines’ marine resources, a United States official said that the Trump administration is expected to tap Filipino fishermen as the “first line” in monitoring illegal fishing in the contested South China Sea. Principal...
President Marcos has called on Filipinos to care for the country 's seas and shores, stressing that by doing so, they are also protecting the nation 's sovereignty. In his message for the celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (ΜΑΝΑ Μo) 2025, Marcos...
The Philippines will not alter its resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal despite a reported increase in Chinese vessel activities in the area, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said. In an interview, NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez told reporters in Manila that Chinese...
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...
