The recent state visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Hanoi was the latest sign of the growing strategic convergence between the Philippines and Vietnam regarding maritime security and the South China Sea. Building on a range of past efforts, both leaders confirmed an agreement on coast guard cooperation and a future bilateral code … Read more
The Philippine government says that it plans to “validate and investigate” reports from Filipino fisherfolk that their Chinese counterparts are using cyanide to catch fish at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. At a press conference on Saturday, Nazario Briguera, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) alleged … Read more
The Philippines has again condemned China’s coastguard for its latest “provocative action” against Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea, shortly after the two nations agreed to take additional steps to manage tensions in the disputed waterway. Yesterday, Jonathan Malaya, the spokesperson of the National Security Council, referred to an incident publicized by the Philippine … Read more
The Philippines is anticipating an escalation of hostilities by Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, following two dangerous incidents in contested parts of the waterway earlier this week. In an interview with TheStarsHub Philippines that was aired late on Wednesday, Alberto Carlos, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Palawan-based Western Command, … Read more
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to defend his country’s territory after two more confrontations with Chinese vessels in contested parts of the South China Sea over the weekend. The two incidents, one of which involved a collision between a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel and a Philippine resupply ship, took place in the … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Security | Southeast Asia The accusation follows the Chinese military’s claim that a Philippine vessel “illegally entered” the area around Scarborough Shoal, which both nations claim. Advertisement The Philippine foreign ministry has once again accused China of intruding into its waters after an incident involving the two countries’ military vessels at a disputed shoal in the … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Security | Southeast Asia Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos’ comments come two days after the Philippine Coast Guard removed a barrier that Chinese ships had installed at the disputed Scarborough Shoal. A photo released by the Philippine Coast Guard claiming to show Chinese coast guard vessels installing a floating barrier at the southeastern entrance to Scarborough Shoal, … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Security | Southeast Asia The Philippine Coast Guard described China’s installation of the barrier at Scarborough Shoal as “a clear violation of international law.” A Philippine diver cuts a rope that the Philippine Coast Guard claims is part of the submerged barrier installed by Chinese vessels at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Credit: Philippine … Read more
ASEAN Beat | Security | Southeast Asia The “floating barrier” is intended to prevent Filipino fishermen from accessing Scarborough Shoal, a China-occupied feature in the South China Sea. A Filipino fishing boat close to the submerged barrier reportedly installed by China Coast Guard boats, September 22, 2023. Credit: Philippine Coast Guard Advertisement The Philippines yesterday protested China’s alleged installation … Read more