China has justified its coast guard's recent action against the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the waters off Ayungin Shoal—a move which the United States calls "irresponsible." In his regular press conference, Wang Wenbin, spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that its coast guard made...
Beijing's top diplomat in Manila on Thursday met with Department of Defense (DND) Secretary Gibo Teodoro in a visit that came shortly after another incident of harassment of Philippine personnel in the South China Sea. Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian sat down with newly-appointed Teodoro for talks...
Japan has expressed concern about China's actions in the South China Sea and in the West Philippine Sea as it said the Chinese activities endanger peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The Japanese Embassy in Manila issued the statement on Thursday, July 6, particularly after the...
A French admiral for Asia-Pacific will be coming to Manila next week for meetings with various military and diplomatic officials as the Philippines is expanding its Western alliance amid challenges over the South China Sea. Rear Admiral Geoffroy d’Andigné will be in Manila from June 26 to 30,...
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, June 20, assured that he is “slowly making progress” in his talks with China regarding the rights of Filipino fishermen in accessing their traditional fishing grounds. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (File Photo/MANILA BULLETIN) In a media...
It is not true that the Philippines has shifted away from China amid differences, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate) The country, Marcos said, did not make such a policy, and instead continues to work with its long-standing...
A rules-based order is "fundamental" to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said Thursday, March 25. In his remark during his meeting with diplomatic reporters in Manila, Manalo said it is "imperative to acknowledge and uphold" an...
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo received the commemorative stamp marking the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the landmark convention that was the basis of the Philippines’ arbitral win over China. (Photos from Foreign Affairs Secretary...
Czech Republic stands ready to support the Philippines amid tensions in the South China Sea, Czech Ambassador to Manila Jana Šedivá said. (Photo from Czech Ambassador to Manila Jana Šedivá's Facebook page) The envoy stressed her country’s own Indo-Pacific strategy, the region that covers the...
The Philippines and Australia are expected to conduct joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea as Canberra is committed to its "long standing presence" in the high seas. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Thursday, May 18, said Australia is open to cooperate with its partners in the...
Australia on Thursday announced a package of new maritime cooperation initiatives for the Philippines as Canberra sees Manila as a "vital security partner" in maintaining a "peaceful, stable and prosperous" Indo-Pacific region. Elevating both countries' partnership from "comprehensive" to...
United States (US) Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson on Wednesday, May 17, stood by the defense ties between the two countries as she insisted that it has nothing to do with China alone. Philippine and American flags (Photo from US Embassy in the Philippines/MANILA BULLETIN) Speaking on...