MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte wants Filipino soldiers to conduct training in China as he continues to seek warmer ties with Beijing despite the longstanding dispute in the South China Sea. Duterte said there is a need for “balance” in terms of the training destination of soldiers because most of them prefer to pursue their […]
During a trip to Australia this month, UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that HMS Sutherland, a British frigate currently deployed to Australia and the Western Pacific, would return from its tour via the South China Sea, “making it clear our navy has a right to do that.” Williamson is the third British minister to […]
“Wishful thinking” was how Sen. Grace Poe labeled presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s statement that the Philippines will benefit from China’s construction of artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, and that we will someday take over these islands. Many have criticized President Duterte’s foreign policy, without indicating what it should be. The issue must be […]
The ongoing disputes in the South China Sea (SCS) have been regarded as one of the most enduring and complicated regional conflicts in the Asia-Pacific. The disputes involve China along with several states in the region and encompass issues such as overlapping territorial claims and access to critical resources like energy and fisheries. Within this […]
Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) – February 21, 2018 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte wants Filipino soldiers to conduct training in China as he continues to seek warmer ties with Beijing despite the longstanding dispute in the South China Sea. Duterte said there is a need for “balance” in terms of the training […]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 17) — Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal said the Philippines and China must have a formal agreement before conducting a joint exploration in the disputed South China Sea. This came after Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said on Friday that the two countries, which are contending over parts of […]
Generally speaking, a sovereign nation dislikes it when a foreign power establishes new military bases within striking range of its capital. But when it comes to China doing just that to the Philippines in the South China Sea, Rodrigo Duterte, it seems, doesn’t mind at all. The Philippines president, speaking to a crowd of Chinese-Filipino […]
U.S. forces are undeterred by China’s military buildup on man-made islands in the South China Sea and will continue patrolling the strategic, disputed waters wherever “international law allows us,” said a Navy officer aboard a mammoth U.S. aircraft carrier brimming with F-18 fighter jets. Lt. Cmdr. Tim Hawkins told The Associated Press on board the […]
MANILA — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sought on Monday to allay fears about China’s construction of military bases on manmade islands in the South China Sea, saying these were built to defend against America rather than confront neighboring states. Duterte also blamed past governments for not building up the country’s defenses in the Spratly archipelago […]
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday suggested in jest that China make the Philippines a province as he defended China’s construction of military structures on the contested Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef in the South China Sea. In a speech during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, the President said the government is […]