Category: Philippines

US, Indonesia Building Maritime Training Center at Edge of South China Sea

Indonesia and the United States are building a new maritime training center at the strategic meeting point of the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea in a move to counter China’s increasing aggression in the region. The $3.5 million center began construction on Indonesia’s island of Batam, at the southern entrance to the strategic…


Through the Silence: The Special Eye of a Photographer Without Hearing

IRVINE, Calif.—Walking around the empty COVID-19 vaccination site at the Orange County Great Park, freelance photojournalist John Uy stops and adjusts the lens on his DSLR camera. Looking around, most people would see a lifeless parking lot dotted with orange cones and tables. But the 28-year-old American-Filipino, who is deaf, focuses only on the opportunity…


Philippines Set to Convert Thitu Island Into Logistics Hub, Facilitate Patrols in South China Sea

The Philippine military plans to transform its Thitu Island as a logistics hub to facilitate sovereignty patrols and upgrade monitoring around its waters amid the Chinese regime’s aggression in the South China Sea. The announcement came after some 220 Chinese vessels were moored at the disputed Whitsun Reef on March 21. The boats were “taking shelter from the…


Philippines Flags ‘Incursions’ by Nearly 300 Chinese Militia Boats

MANILA—The Philippines on Wednesday reported what it said were incursions into its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) by 287 maritime militia vessels from China, in a further sign of cracks reappearing in a relationship after a period of rapprochement. “This incident along with continued illegal incursions of foreign vessels sighted near Philippine-held islands have been submitted…


Philippine President Apologises for Taking Unapproved Sinopharm Jab, Requests China Withdraw Doses

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte warned Filipinos not to follow his example and get the China-made Sinopharm vaccine which has not yet been approved by the country’s health regulator for use against the CCP virus. Duterte, who was able to get the Sinopharm jab via a compassionate use permit, has since asked the Chinese embassy to…


Philippines Tells Fishermen to Ignore Beijing’s Ban on Fishing in South China Sea

MANILA—The Philippines has rejected an annual summer fishing ban imposed by China in the disputed South China Sea and encouraged its boats to keep fishing in the country’s territorial waters. The fishing moratorium imposed by China since 1999 runs from May 1 to Aug. 16 and covers areas of the South China Sea as well…


Philippine Foreign Secretary Is a Hero for Talking Tough to Xi Jinping

Commentary On May 3, the Philippine Foreign Secretary, Teddy Locsin, told China to “GET THE F*** OUT.” He was referring not only to the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including its fishing grounds in the South China Sea, but to what he claimed was an attempt to make the Philippines into “a Chinese province.” Since…


Philippines Summons Chinese Ambassador Over Vessels in Disputed Waters

MANILA—The Philippines said on Tuesday it had summoned the Chinese ambassador to convey the Southeast Asian country’s “utmost displeasure” over the continued presence of Chinese vessels in disputed waters around a reef in the South China Sea. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian was summoned on Monday and…


US-Philippines Officials Discuss Concerns Over China’s Ships

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT—Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday discussed with his Philippine counterpart China’s recent positioning of “militia vessels” near the Philippines in the South China Sea. Austin spoke by phone with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana while Austin was flying from Washington to Israel to begin an international trip. Pentagon…


Philippines Issues Tough Statement to China as South China Sea Situation Intensifies

Aides of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte criticized China on April 5 for anchoring hundreds of its vessels for a month in the disputed South China Sea areas, which could lead to “unwanted hostilities,” his legal counsel warned. Duterte is usually reluctant to confront China. He even angered Filipinos by refusing to press China on respecting a landmark 2016…