7 Chinese arrested in NAIA
PNP-Aviation Group personnel arrested 7 Chinese nationals for allegedly trying to abduct a fellow Chinese at NAIA Terminal 3, Pasay City. Authorities identified the suspects as Jhong Ruei Yu, Zhang …
South China Sea
China warships pass PH waters without permission
At least 9 Chinese warships had passed Sibutu Strait without the Philippine government’s permission according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Wednesday. Locsin said that Beijing agreed with the …
Duterte says Philippines needs offshore gaming operations
President Rodrigo Duterte said that the Philippines needs offshore gaming operations to sustain jobs for many Filipinos, Wednesday. Duterte said that he would continue to allow offshore gaming in the …
Chinese apology: Locsin says ‘I did not accept it.’
Locsin says, “Hey morons! I merely NOTED the Chinese apology. I did not accept it. I am not a fisherman,” in his Twitter account last night. The said tweet is …
Chinese fishermen condemned for abandoning Filipino crew after collision
The Philippines has condemned the “cowardly action” of a Chinese fishing vessel accused of abandoning 22 Filipino fishermen after a collision in the South China Sea. The ship hit a …
Duterte on South China Sea: ‘Can a country claim the whole ocean?’
President Duterte has questioned China’s claim to the entire South China Sea as he pushed for a “code of conduct” over the disputed waters. Speaking during a speech in Japan …
Laser beams force Australian navy pilots out of sky over South China Sea
Australian navy helicopter pilots have reported being forced out of the sky by laser beams while flying over the disputed South China Sea. The Australian Broadcasting Company reported today (Wednesday, …
US Navy’s South China Sea patrol angers Beijing smarting over trade war
A US Navy patrol through the South China Sea has been slammed by a Beijing already smarting over mounting trade tensions. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) scrambled air and naval …
Philippine Navy joins international show of force in South China Sea
The navies of the Philippines, the US, Japan and India have sailed together for the first time through the contested South China Sea. The operation was described today (Thursday, May …
China refuses to recognise UN court’s ruling on South China Sea
China still refuses to recognise the ruling of the United Nations-backed court that dismissed its sweeping claims to the South China Sea. Philippine Ambassador Jose Santiago Santa Romana confirmed this …
Philippines cries foul after hundreds of Chinese ships swarm Pag-asa
The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest with Beijing over after hundreds of vessels swarmed Pag-asa island in the South China Sea. As many as 275 Chinese ships and boats …
Philippine military chief wary that US pact could drag it into war with China
The military chief of the Philippines has questioned a mutual defence treaty with the US over fears it could drag the country into war with China. Speaking yesterday (Tuesday, March …
US Secretary of State to Philippines: We will defend your disputed waters
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the US would back the Philippines should there be any “armed attack” on the South China Sea. Pompeo said today (Friday, March 1) …
US and UK navies conduct joint naval drills in the South China Sea
The US and the UK have completed six days of coordinated naval drills in the South China Sea, it has been announced. In a press statement released today (Wednesday, January …
Philippine defence chief announces review of military alliance with US
The US has affirmed its alliance with the Philippines after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced a review the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. Lorenzana said he has directed lawyers from his …
US foreign policy experts: South China Sea conflict major concern for 2019
Confrontation in the South China Sea is a major security will be a major concern next year, according to US foreign policy experts. An annual survey conducted by the Center …
Survey: Six-in-10 Filipinos believe US would defend them if invaded
Six out of 10 Filipinos believe that the US would defend the Philippines in case of a foreign invasion, a survey has revealed. The Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey was …
Philippine military chief: Alliance with the USA is our biggest strength
It’s alliance with the United States remains “the biggest strength of the Philippines” the country’s military chief has said. Although the Philippines may lack the military muscle to face off …
Beijing angered by US warship’s ‘provocative’ patrol in South China Sea
Beijing has angrily rebuked the US for sending a warship close to militarised islands it controversially claims in the South China Sea. The US and its allies regularly send planes …
Full text: Joint statement between China and the Philippines
Following the two-day visit of President Xi to the Philippines, the Malacañang has urged the public to “be patient” for the release of copies of the agreements signed. Speaking today (Wednesday, …
Oil and gas deal signed on first day of Xi’s visit to the Philippines
Beijing and Manila have signed a joint oil and gas deal as Chinese President Xi Jinping began a two-day visit to the Philippines. The two nations also signed a “memorandum …
Duterte: South China Sea is in Beijing’s hands, so why create friction?
President Duterte has said that China was “already in possession” of the South China Sea — and US military drills were just creating “frictions”. The president made the statement on …
USS Ronald Reagan warplane crashes into Philippine waters
A US Navy warplane has crashed into Philippine waters, the second crash in less than a month involving the USS Ronald Reagan. The aircraft, an F/A 18 Hornet, had a …
Two US B-52 bombers fly over contested South China Sea islands
Two US B-52 bombers have again flown near contested islands in the South China Sea according to a statement from Pacific Air Forces. The Strato-fortress bombers, which are based in …
Philippines pulls out of joint naval drills with US after complaint by China
The Philippines will not take part in naval drills with the US after China complained they would clash with President Xi Jinping’s visit to Manila. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque revealed …
Philippine navy to sail alongside Chinese in first-ever maritime drills
The navies of the Philippines and China will launch their first-ever joint maritime drills, alongside ships from other Asean members. Despite the ongoing disputes over the South China Sea, the …