The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday, Sept. 6, maintained that visa requirements on Chinese nationals did not result in the decline of tourist arrivals from China. This was after Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said that Chinese tourist arrivals went...
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...
The Chinese Foreign Ministry once more warned Philippine officials for their provocative and “irresponsible remarks” about the China-Taiwan issue, saying that such actions “will only backfire.” In his regular press conference on Friday, Sept. 5, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo...
The Department of National Defense (DND) stood firm behind Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday night, Sept. 5, after the Chinese Embassy in Manila accused him of making “anti-China” remarks that it considered as “arrogant” and “ignorant of history.” Defense spokesperson...
Two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships stood their ground against 24 Chinese vessels during a possible rotation and resupply (RORE) mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Friday, Sept. 5. Rear Adm. Roy Vincent...
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...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised an objection against China’s travel advisory to the Philippines, assuring instead that law enforcement officers are addressing reported crimes, including those perpetrated by Chinese nationals. In a statement on Monday, Sept. 1, the DFA maintained...
The Philippine Embassy in Beijing said that a trade mission from China is expected to arrive in Manila in October to give Chinese businesses the opportunity to explore investment options in the country. This came after Philippine officials partnered with Global Investment Council (GIC) to organize...
The National Security Council (NSC) emphasized that the Philippines’ actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) should not be seen as a danger to regional peace and security, pushing back against narratives that portray the country’s defense measures as provocative. “The actions of the...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has established a forward operating base (FOB) in Mahatao, Batanes to boost territorial defense and enhance capabilities for humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) in the country 's northernmost frontier, a military spokesperson said...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) concluded Exercise ALON 25 (Amphibious and Land Operations) on Friday, Aug. 29, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, capping off two weeks of joint drills aimed at strengthening interoperability in maritime defense and...
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...
