News
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Accidental strategies: Lessons from Scarborough and Subic
SUMMARY As the year comes to a close, I offer some reflections on strategic thinking in the Philippines or, really, the lack of it. These thoughts come to mind as we see the acceleration of China’s provocations in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) and Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin). What will the Philippines do […]
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[ANALYSIS] China’s increased coercive activities in the WPS: Recalibrating the PH’s security response
SUMMARY In the past few weeks, the tension arising from China’s coercive tactics at the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has escalated. At the Second Thomas Shoal last November 10, 38 Chinese vessels swarmed around the adjacent waters; water cannons along with reckless maneuvers were employed to harass our vessels involved in the resupply mission. In […]
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Philippines wants to start new energy exploration projects in South China Sea
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said his country is working to resolve “exploration issues” in the South China Sea so it could start new energy exploration projects in the resource-rich waterway to meet his nation’s energy needs. Marcos, in an interview with Japanese media on Saturday, December 16, said tensions in […]
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‘Comprehensive’ probe into Occidental Mindoro collision underway – PCG
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Saturday, December 16, that it has initiated an investigation into the December 5 incident involving a Chinese ship and a Filipino boat in Occidental Mindoro. In a statement, the PCG said it is already coordinating with appropriate authorities for a “swift and comprehensive investigation” […]
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Philippines ‘wargaming’ Chinese hostilities as sea standoffs intensify
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is contingency planning for an escalation of hostilities in the South China Sea, according to a senior military official, including a scenario where crew repel Chinese forces attempting to board Philippine vessels. Ties between the two countries have deteriorated this year after several collisions and repeated standoffs near disputed […]
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Rappler Talk: A civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea
MANILA, Philippines – It was an ambitious and historic dream: to travel to the West Philippine Sea, an area where the Philippines exercises sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone. But the journey – from getting the green light from government to actually making it to Philippine-occupied features in the West Philippine Sea – was […]
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Why diplomatic protests matter in West PH Sea tensions
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – It’s a process that moves like clockwork. After another lopsided confrontation between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea comes statements – of condemnation against China, from the Philippines’ National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS); in support of Manila, from diplomats of nations who stand with the […]
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China ships linger in Ayungin after blasting water-cannons at PH resupply mission
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – At least nine Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships and one China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel remain inside and within the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, a feature some 105 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said Thursday, December 14. Of the nine CMM ships, […]
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China condemns Canada’s support for Philippines over South China Sea incidents
SUMMARY China condemned Canada’s support for the Philippines over what it said were violations of China’s sovereignty in the South China Sea, according to a statement by a Chinese embassy spokesperson in Canada. “The South China Sea is the common home of countries in the region and should not become a hunting ground for Canada, […]
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Hope rises despite aborted mission of civilian convoy through West PH Sea
SUMMARY PALAWAN, Philippines – As the sun was setting on the second Sunday of Advent, December 10, four Chinese vessels appeared one by one over the horizon while the first Christmas convoy was passing through the waters near Ayungin Shoal. Most civilian volunteers were on the main deck of the mission ship attending a Holy […]
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UK condemns China over incidents in the South China Sea against the Philippines
SUMMARY LONDON, United Kingdom – Britain on Monday, December 11, condemned what it called “unsafe and escalatory tactics deployed by Chinese vessels” against the Philippines over the weekend in the South China Sea. “The UK opposes any action which raises tensions, including harassment, unsafe conduct and intimidation tactics which increase the risk of miscalculation and […]
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EXPLAINER: Why China, the Philippines keep fighting over tiny shoal
SUMMARY The Philippines on Monday, December 11, described the actions of Chinese vessels against its boats carrying out South China Sea resupply missions over the weekend as a “serious escalation.” In the latest in a series of confrontations, Manila accused Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels of repeatedly firing water cannon at its resupply […]