Oil and gas deals in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) must meet strict constitutional conditions, 1Sambayan said, as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) underscored that Philippine sovereignty will be upheld in any potential energy cooperation with China. In a statement issued on April 12, the...
Several bottles recovered from traditional Chinese boats near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last year were confirmed to have contained cyanide, a highly toxic chemical compound, raising fears of possible sabotage targeting fish supplies and coral reef in the area,...
A United States warship transported Philippine military engineering equipment to Palawan as part of a four-day Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed on Monday, April 13. USS Ashland (LSD-48), a dock...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in ongoing discussions to amend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the China Coast Guard (CCG), firmly rejecting claims that the negotiations are being conducted in...
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) unveiled a new command center in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on Thursday, April 9, to strengthen the country’s maritime security and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and Department of Transportation (DOTr)...
Chinese forces fired flares directly at the aircraft of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) while it was conducting maritime patrol over the Kalayaan Island Group on Thursday afternoon, April 9. The incident, which happened as the country observes Araw ng Kagitingan or Valor Day, was the latest of the...
On Araw ng Kagitingan or Valor Day, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has activated a district station at the Pagasa Island in a bid to further make its presence felt and assert the country’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez...
The push for joint energy exploration between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) met fierce opposition from a think tank, citing Beijing 's long history of maritime aggression against Filipinos. The Stratbase Institute, an independent international think-tank and...
As the Malampaya gas field slowly taps out and diplomacy trades hot words for cautious handshakes, the real suspense lies not just in geopolitical compromise, but in whether Recto Bank can finally proceed to well drilling or remain a perpetually well-discussed daydream. The lingering conflict in...
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has urged the Philippines to stop what it described as “provocations” in the West Philippine Sea, while warning that Beijing will take “strong measures” to protect its territorial claims. In a Facebook post on Sunday, April 5, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji...
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Wednesday, April 1 slammed China’s move to exploit the ongoing Middle East conflict to expand its presence in the West Philippine Sea, saying that “this is unacceptable and deeply concerning.” “Multiple studies indicate that the West Philippine Sea holds...
Amid the persistent shadow of Chinese maritime presence, a new symbol of Filipino resilience is taking root in the sand of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG). The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that local officials and ranking dignitaries gathered on Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, a remote outpost in the...
