The Department of National Defense (DND) should explore the feasibility of restructuring the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with additional forces to boost the country’s maritime defense. Senator Risa Hontiveros said this proposal may be worth considering in light of China’s continuous...
The Philippine government was told for the nth time to step up its crackdown versus foreign poachers in the West Philippine Sea. Such a call was made in response to China’s annual three-and-a-half-month fishing ban in the South China Sea, which covers the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone...
After the successful enforcement of maritime laws against Chinese militia vessels, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced Friday, May 21, that it has intensified its exercises in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to further defend the country’s territory and protect Filipino fishermen in the...
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has rejected claims thrown by former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile against him over his role in the 2012 standoff at Scarborough Shoal, saying the former president apparently chose him to hold backdoor negotiations because he found him "trustworthy." “Why...
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday, May 17, said Malacañang should stop trumpeting China’s aid and development assistance to the Philippines, saying the country doesn’t owe a huge debt of gratitude to Beijing. Senator Risa Hontiveros (Senate PRIB/MANILA BULLETIN File photo) Hontiveros said...
An irate Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday ordered his department to file a diplomatic protest against China over the presence of 287 Chinese vessels in Philippine waters as earlier announced by the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS). Foreign Secretary...
The number of Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels spotted at the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea has increased to 34 based on the latest sovereignty patrol report, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) disclosed on Wednesday, May 12. National Security...
Even with President Rodrigo Duterte singing a different tune that he can no longer take back territories claimed by China, the Department of Energy (DOE) stated that it is bent on awarding more petroleum service contracts at blocks straddled by disputed territories within the West Philippine Sea....
Senator Leila de Lima said on Monday, May 10, that President Rodrigo Duterte proved to be a "loser" when he backed out of a prospective debate with former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. President Rodrigo Duterte (File photo/Manila Bulletin) De Lima said it was clear Duterte...
The Philippine government’s failure to address the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is resulting in billions worth of losses in terms of fish catch and revenues. Asis Perez, former director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR),...
Senators on Thursday, April 29, rallied behind President Duterte in refusing to pull out the Philippines' patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Members of the Philippine Coast Guard conduct maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea on April 24, 2021. On Wednesday, April 28, President...
The Philippine government said it will invoke ‘exclusive licensing’ authority for any and all petroleum exploration ventures that will be carried out within the disputed territories of the West Philippine Sea. This was set on record by Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, in line with the...
