Latest news with #PhilippineNavy
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
China conducts 'combat readiness' patrols in Scarborough despite PH's assertion of sovereignty
China's Southern Theatre navy conducted combat readiness patrols on Saturday around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, Reuters reported citing Xinhua news agency. China's navy has continuously intensified patrols and surveillance in the surrounding waters and airspace in the area, further strengthening control over the relevant maritime and aerial domains, Xinhua said. EXPLAINER: What is Scarborough Shoal and why is it important? Scarborough Shoal, which is also being claimed by the Philippines, is a triangular coral reef formation which surrounds a lagoon, is famed for its rich waters and marine resources. It is also referred to as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal. Scarborough Shoal is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales and is considered within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." Last month, the Philippines cited its sovereignty in the area after China called out Manila for its alleged illegal intrusion into Scarborough Shoal. 'These are all part of shaping or malign info operations more likely for their internal audience,' Philippine Navy spokesperson for the Wet Philippines (WPS) Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said. 'Only the Philippine Navy and other Philippine flagged law enforcement ships have the authority and legal bases to challenge any ship within maritime zones,' he added. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. —with reports from Reuters/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Philippine navy adds new bases in Subic Bay, Mindanao amid South China Sea tensions
The Philippine Navy is set to open a series of naval bases as it bolsters its modernisation efforts, with one of the facilities near a former American military stronghold raising the potential of further sites added to those under an existing deal allowing US forces to train on Philippine soil. Advertisement Observers also note that the plan showcases Manila's willingness to expand the defence reach of its navy amid increasingly volatile territorial rows in the South China Sea , as well as reduce reliance on South Korean shipbuilders by developing local shipyards. President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr confirmed at the Navy's 127th anniversary ceremony on Tuesday that his government was 'investing in responsive and up-to-date assets and systems to ensure that our navy remains a formidable force in the region'. The move is seen as part of the Philippine Armed Forces' modernisation programme. It is currently in its Horizon 3 phase, which started last year and will last for another 10 years. Marcos said they would soon be breaking ground at Naval Station Nabasan, an existing wharf located near the mouth of Subic Bay. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (centre) waves from a newly built warship at Subic naval base on May 20. Photo: Kyodo
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
UK aircraft carrier to sail in Indo-Pacific as part of multi-national task force —PH Navy
The aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (09) before she departed for Operation Highmast. Royal Navy The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said that a multi-national task force centered around an aircraft carrier of the United Kingdom is expected to sail in the Indo-Pacific region to promote international order. In a press briefing, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the activity is under the Royal Navy-led Operation Highmast. 'The United Kingdom last month, April 25, set sail Operation Highmast centered on the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales joined by warships from Norway, Canada,and Spain,' he said. 'The objective here is to reinforce the alliances with like-minded nations in the Indo-Pacific Region and to support the international order, which is currently being attacked by one country that would like to change the international status quo,' he added. Trinidad said the eight-month deployment will cover the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Indo-Pacific Region. According to him, multilateral exercises will be conducted during Operation Highmast. HMS Prince of Wales has an embarked air group that includes the F-35B Lightning II stealth multirole fghters, anti-submarine helicopters, airborne early warning aircraft and accommodation for 250 Royal Marines. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." Beijing has refused to recognize the decision. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
PH Navy vows protection for Atin Ito WPS civilian mission amid Chinese shadowing
China Coast Guard vessel 3306 shadows Atin Ito ship on civilian mission to Pagasa Island in West Philippine Sea, May 27, 2025. Atin Ito Coalition The Philippine Navy on Tuesday assured participants of Atin Ito's civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) of protection amid the shadowing activities of two Chinese vessels in the area. At a press briefing, Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said that contingencies are in place. 'Western Command is monitoring the activity. There are appropriate contingencies in place in the event na kakailanganin ang response ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (in case help from AFP is needed),' Trinidad said. According to Trinidad, the AFP will provide help when needed. 'We do not control the escalation dynamics of hostilities but we could assure not only the Atin Ito participants but all Filipinos in the WPS that your Armed Forces, the other government agencies, are always there ready to protect them hanggat kaya natin (as long as we can),' he said. 'The Philippine Navy, the AFP, and even other government agencies in the maritime domain are prepared to respond to support anything that they would need while conducting their concert at sea,' he added. So far, Trinidad said the Philippine Navy has not monitored significant increase in the number of Chinese vessels and any indication that the Chinese vessels will perform aggressive actions against the civilian mission. Chinese vessels Atin Ito said two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels CCG 3306 and CCG 21549 shadowed its ship while on the way to Pagasa Island for a civilian mission on Tuesday morning. The coalition said the two Chinese vessels shadowed the Philippine civilian mission ship around 54 nautical miles from El Nido, Palawan. 'CCG 3306 is 3 NM from Atin Ito ship while the other one, CCG 21549, is 5 NM away from the Atin Ito ship,' the coalition said. More than 150 people are on board Atin Ito's M/V Kapitan Felix Oca including volunteers, artists and their crew, the press, as well as boat staff. Volunteers from Atin Ito arrived in El Nido on Monday to launch the third civilian-led mission to the WPS, which will culminate with a concert near Pagasa Island. The civilian mission was set from May 26 to 30. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday said it has deployed two of its vessels, Melchora Aquino and BRP Malapascua, to escort the civilian-led mission. Arbitration court ruling Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Video Shows US Ally Resupplying Military Outpost in Disputed Waters
The Philippines has released footage showing a recent supply and troop rotation mission to Second Thomas Shoal, a hot spot in the country's long-running territorial feud with China. China said it allowed the May 16 mission to proceed after notification by the Philippines, though the U.S. ally has maintained it "need not seek permission." Newsweek reached out to the Philippine military and Chinese Foreign Ministry with emailed requests for comment. Second Thomas Shoal-known in Manila as Ayungin Shoal and in Beijing as Ren'ai Reef-is situated within the Philippines' EEZ. The reef is uninhabited, except for a navy garrison stationed aboard a rusting warship, the BRP Sierra Madre, which the country deliberately grounded in 1999 to stake its claim. China insists the rusting vessel's presence is illegal and accused its neighbor of smuggling in supplies to repair it. Beijing claims sovereignty over most features in the South China Sea, including Second Thomas Shoal, and in 2023 and 2024 took forceful measures-including blockades and water cannons-to obstruct supply missions. Video shared by ABS-CBN show personnel aboard the Sierra Madre preparing to receive food and other supplies from the government-commissioned civilian vessel MV Lapu-Lapu. Four Chinese coast guard ships were observed in the area "but did not do any coercive or aggressive actions," Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, told reporters on the sidelines of an ASEAN event in Pasay City. It was the eighth such mission to take place without Chinese interference. The two neighbors said they had reached a deal to manage future supply missions in July, just weeks after a particularly aggressive interception by Chinese maritime forces that left Philippine sailors injured and drew condemnation from several countries. The exact terms of the agreement remain unclear, and each side has since accused the other of violating them. "With the permission of the Chinese side, the Philippines sent a civilian boat to transport daily necessities to its illegal 'beached' warship at Ren'ai Reef," Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a May 20 statement. "It is hoped that the Philippines will honor its commitments, work with China in the same direction, and jointly manage the maritime situation." Trinidad, the Philippine Navy spokesperson, pledged missions to the Sierra Madre would continue. "We need not seek permission from any foreign power, much more from one that has encroached into our exclusive economic zone. These missions will continue," he said. China has accused the Philippines of violating an alleged promise not to deliver construction materials to the warship-turned-military outpost. A former spokesperson for Rodrigo Duterte, the Southeast Asian country's president from 2016 to 2022, made waves last year after appearing to suggest the leader had made a "gentlemen's agreement" to that effect in exchange for maintaining the status quo in the area. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in June 2022, has denied any knowledge of such an arrangement and said he was "horrified" by the idea. South China Sea Probing Initiative, a Beijing-based think tank, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "The gentleman's agreement works again. The China Coast Guard reported that under China's surveillance, the Philippines had just completed a supply mission without the Philippine Coast Guard for the grounded warship at Second Thomas Shoal on May 16." China will almost certainly continue pressing its claims within the Philippine EEZ and will most likely continue to face pushback from the Philippines. The Marcos administration enjoys broad support on the South China Sea issue, with a November poll showing that 84 percent of Filipinos back the government's pushback. Related Articles Green Card Holder Who Came to US as Young Child Detained Returning to USWATCH: Chinese Ship Blasts US Ally With Water CannonUS and Ally's Joint Forces Send Warning to ChinaChina Research Ship 'Loitering' Near Undersea Cables: Report 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
