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GMA Network
29-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP: 23 Chinese ships monitored in WPS amid bad weather
File photo of a China Coast Guard vessel patrolling the waters as the sun sets in the West Philippine Sea. JUN VENERACION/GMA Int The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that 23 Chinese vessels were monitored in key areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last week amid the bad weather. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the WPS, said a total of seven Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and seven People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships were sighted in Bajo de Masinloc between July 21 and 27. Additional deployments included four CCG and two PLA Navy vessels in Ayungin Shoal, one PLA Navy ship in Sabina Shoal, and one CCG and one PLA Navy ship near Pag-asa Island. No aggressive acts by Chinese forces were recorded during the latest monitoring period, according to Trinidad. However, he stressed that the continued presence of foreign ships within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) remains a "concern." 'We will keep performing our mandate of securing our national territory and protecting our sovereignty and sovereign rights,' said Trinidad. 'The Department of National Defense has been very clear—we will be resistant and unwavering against the aggressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party. Your Armed Forces are prepared to sacrifice, pay even the ultimate sacrifice in furtherance of this mandate.' 'Steadfast' AFP officials said that under the Marcos administration, the defense sector has intensified both domestic preparedness and regional engagement with allies. 'From 2022 onwards, we have seen an escalation in our defense diplomacy,' Trinidad said, citing new agreements such as the Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan and a Visiting Forces Agreement with New Zealand. 'More than statements of support, we have seen ships, aircraft and troops from like-minded countries performing activities with your Armed Forces on land, sea, and air.' AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla also reiterated the military's alignment with the administration's modernization and self-reliant defense agenda. 'Whether it's securing our democracy, defending our sovereignty, or saving lives—we remain your steadfast guardians,' she said. Padilla added that the AFP is supportive of the U.S. government's recent plans to establish ammunition production in the region, seeing it as a potential complement to the country's Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP). 'This is also part of our alliance-building with other nations. We welcome this initiative and will support it in whatever way the DND deems appropriate,' she said. Looking beyond the West Philippine Sea, Trinidad said the AFP has expanded its defense focus across the archipelago, including the southern borders, eastern seaboard, and northernmost islands such as Batanes and Babuyan. 'We are no longer just looking west. We are securing the entire archipelago—from internal to external defense,' he said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
AllAfrica
14-07-2025
- Politics
- AllAfrica
Tokyo, Manila moves arouse Chinese concerns about Asian mini NATO
Manila's adoption of Japan's 'one theater concept' has further escalated tensions with China. Proposed in March this year, the concept breaks from Tokyo's traditional security outlook and views the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula as a 'single theater.' Analysts in Chinese news media were quick to read it as a formation of a Washington-led 'Mini NATO in the Asia-Pacific' aimed at 'containing China.' A commentary noted how President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s attempts at a thaw with Beijing in early 2025 were derailed within a week when the US promised $50 million in military aid that 'thoroughly exposed' Marcos's 'profiteering tendency.' Another analysis related the situation to the Reciprocal Access Agreement signed between Manila and Tokyo in July last year. Many defined the concept as an 'absurd' one that 'deliberately confuses' distinct geographical regions, solely to build a case for foreign intervention. The continued stationing of US military's advanced missile systems, Typhon and NMESIS, in Manila is similarly viewed as a way of targeting China. While Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s moves are broadly described as 'unacceptable,' some in China believe he is still 'pragmatic' in finding common strategic ground with Japan when compared with Lithuania, which expressed concerns over the 'axis' formed by 'China, Russia and North Korea' that must be opposed through an 'alliance of democracies.' Others describe the concept as Japan's attempts to 'blur' the boundaries of the 'hot spots' by linking the Taiwan Strait and East China Sea to its 'surrounding areas,' hence using it as an 'excuse' to break free from restrictions placed by its peace constitution. Highlighting Manila's intentions of 'controlling the entire Bashi Channel,' some Chinese analysts have pointed to several hindrances in this 'plan' – particularly differing defense interests of the members of the informal SQUAD alliance (QUAD, with an S for 'security' added) and Trump's insistence that allies expand their military expenditures, which many, including Tokyo and Manila, are unable to do. Many also flagged Washington's 'unreliability' to its allies, particularly the imposition of tariffs that pushed Tokyo and Seoul towards Beijing. Describing Manila as a 'pawn' for 'big brothers,' a commentary noted that Washington's 'abandonment and looting' of war-torn Ukraine serve as a lesson for the Philippines. Some link the situation to the internal political turmoil brewing in Manila. Ruptures between the 'pro-US' Marcos family and the 'pro-China' Duterte family, particularly the latter's better performance in the mid-term elections and their possibility of sweeping off the former in the 2028 general elections, are emphasized. Chinese analysts believe that the concept will nevertheless receive little support from ASEAN nations or the Pacific Islands which have refrained from choosing sides between Beijing and Washington. Faultlines do exist. Many in Japan worry that an unclear delimitation of the theater carries the threat of embroiling Tokyo in conflicts of regional allies. South Korea, too, is unhappy, particularly with the concept seen as 'unnecessarily stoking conflict with China.' Differing security perceptions are similarly highlighted by Teodoro's statement that the Korean Peninsula will not form a part of Manila's adaptation. While most Chinese analysts favor dialogue, their confidence in the PLA's ability to launch a crushing defeat on the Philippines remains unabashed. The question, however, remains: Is China ready to take up arms? Though it cannot be denied that the concept's focus on Taiwan presents a fragile security situation given the Chinese maritime strategy's core being anti-access/area denial in the 'first island chain,' the few episodes of intense confrontation in the past years have not escalated into a war – yet. The PLA Southern Theater Command's response included a joint sea and air patrol in the 'second island command' with its advanced H-6K bombers equipped with Eagle Strike-12 anti-ship missiles, capable of launching an attack on targets as far as 4000 km from the Chinese mainland. While an intense move, it broadly falls in line with Beijing's previous response to Manila's unilateral and bilateral military exercises with Washington in January. Chinese commentators have also highlighted how NATO's short and narrowly-focused The Hague Summit Declaration's silence on China points to Trump 'changing his mind' on a conflict with Beijing. But mounting tensions are hard to overlook. China's latest white paper on national security noted 'gross interference' in the South China Sea issue from external powers. The paper clearly underscores a growing pessimism as it notes how 'Western anti-China forces' are 'leaving no stones unturned' to 'encircle, suppress and contain' Beijing. China's sanctions against former Senator Francis Tolentino for his 'malicious remarks and moves' are similarly seen as a strong move. This is the first time a senior official has been sanctioned since bilateral relations deteriorated in 2023, further elevating tensions as Manila summoned the Chinese ambassador to express its concerns. Despite the intensity, it must be noted that Beijing refrained from sanctioning Tolentino while he was in office, reflecting a cautious approach. Manila too has been prudent in not pushing the boundary too far. Hence, while the 38-year travel ban on Filipino officials traveling to Taiwan was lifted in April, restrictions remain on visits by the president and vice president and the foreign and defense secretaries. Despite its 2023 National Security Policy describing cross-strait relations as a 'major concern,' the Philippines has clarified it has no intentions of ever participating if a conflict erupts over Taiwan. The clarification came as part of a statement at a press conference for the Balikatan annual military exercises in April 2025, the largest between Manila and Washington. Manila favored reaching a provisional understanding with Beijing over invoking its Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington as tensions escalated in June last year. The situation, for now, can best be understood as a game of brinkmanship. Moreover, despite China's growing naval strength, its warships remain untested in warfare. While this acts as a deterrent to Beijing, China's advanced defense technologies and their ability to cause irreparable losses deter Washington and Manila. Nevertheless, a lack of a consistent high level military-to-military communication between both Beijing and Washington, and Beijing and Manila, as well as the complete absence of a reliable crisis management mechanism do exacerbate uncertainties. While all eyes remain fixed on military muscle flexing, the South China Sea faces a critical challenge. Sea levels have risen by 3.75mm per year since 1993, and microplastic pollution has reached an alarming level. While a war seems unlikely, peace remains elusive. Such pressing concerns urgently demand cooperation on all sides. Cherry Hitkari is a doctoral fellow with the Institute of Chinese Studies Delhi and the Harvard-Yenching Institute, currently pursuing a PhD in Chinese Studies at University of Delhi.
Filipino Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Philippine Navy to inspect Japanese warships for possible transfer
The Philippine Navy is set to inspect Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF) Abukuma-class destroyer escorts as part of ongoing discussions on a possible transfer of the warships to the Philippines. Navy spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos said a team of naval experts will be dispatched to Japan for a joint visual inspection, following an official invitation from the Japanese Ministry of Defense. 'This planned inspection forms part of exploratory discussions on the possible transfer of these naval assets to the Philippines,' Alcos said in a statement released Sunday. The Abukuma-class destroyers are designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare. If acquired, the vessels are expected to strengthen the Philippine Navy's maritime defense capabilities, particularly in the West Philippine Sea. The Navy said the initiative reflects the deepening strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan, and supports both countries' commitment to maritime security, interoperability, and regional stability. The planned inspection comes after both countries ratified the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which facilitates joint military exercises, humanitarian missions, and temporary deployment of troops by easing legal and logistical barriers. Japan has been a key defense partner of the Philippines in recent years having supplied two 97-meter multi-role response vessels, BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Melchora Aquino, which are actively deployed in patrol operations in the West Philippine Sea.
Times of Oman
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Chinese military patrols South China Sea amidst Philippines-Japan joint drills
Manila: As the Philippines and Japan conducted a joint drill in South China Sea, the Chinese military held joint sea and air patrols in the disputed waters. China's People Liberation Army Southern Theater Command organized joint sea and air patrol in the South China Sea on Saturday, its spokesperson Colonel Tian Junli, stated on Sunday, emphasizing that any military activities that stir up trouble in the South China Sea and create hotspot issues are fully under control, Chinese media outlet Global Times said. In a statement released by the PLA Southern Theatre Command, cited by Global Times, Tian said that "the Philippines' act of rallying countries from outside the region to organise so-called joint patrols escalated security risks in the South China Sea and undermined regional peace and stability." The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Sunday that Filipino military units and their counterparts from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted the second bilateral maritime cooperative exercise in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend. The West Philippine Sea is the portion of the South China Sea that is claimed by the Philippines as part of its maritime claims. In a media statement, Philippines Armed Forces spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the bilateral maritime exercise signifies a major step in defense cooperation under the newly ratified Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan. The June 14 maritime cooperative activity was held west of Zambales up to the west-northwest of Occidental Mindoro, within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, Padilla said, according to the Philippine News Agency (PNA). During the bilateral exercises, the Philippine Army deployed the newly commissioned guided missile frigate, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), and an AW-159 "Wildcat" anti-submarine helicopter. Also sent to participate were a Philippine Air Force C-208 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, along with search-and-rescue units. Meanwhile, the Japanese deployed the guided missile destroyer JS Takanami (DDG-110) and an SH-60K "Seahawk" helicopter, showcasing joint maritime capabilities in various operational scenarios. The spokesperson for the Philippines Armed Forces said that two Chinese military vessels--Luyang III (DDG-161) and Jiangkai II (FFG-579)--were monitored during the Philippine-Japan maritime exercises. "There were no reported incidents or close encounters. Both forces maintained a professional and secure operating environment, reinforcing their abilities to coordinate effectively in dynamic maritime settings," Padilla was cited as saying by the PNA news outlet. She noted that the first bilateral exercise with Japan was conducted on August 2, 2024.
GMA Network
15-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH, Japan forces hold 2nd Maritime Cooperative Activity in WPS
The navies of the Philippines and Japan over the weekend held the second bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA), following the ratification of Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that the two countries inked in July 2024. The MCA included communication checks, anti-submarine warfare, cross-deck exercises, division tactics and officer of the watch maneuvers (DIVTACS/OOW), photo exercises, and a Finish exercise (FINEX) between the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Participating in the recent MCA were the guided missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar, its assigned AW159 anti-submarine helicopter, a PAF C-208 ISR aircraft, and search and rescue units. Japan deployed the destroyer JS Takanami and its embarked SH-60K Seahawk helicopter. 'This cooperative activity is more than a display of maritime capability — it is a manifestation of our enduring commitment to uphold peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific,' Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement on Sunday. 'With the RAA now in effect, our coordination with Japan will only grow stronger and more responsive to the complex demands of our shared environment,' he added. The RAA was signed by Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbero Teodoro Jr. last July, with aims to heighten defense cooperation between the two countries in the middle of escalating tensions in the South China Sea. To recall, leaders of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States in April 2024 released a Joint Vision Statement indicating the possibility of more combined naval training and exercises, with Manila set to receive support for its defense modernization priorities. Prior to this, naval and air forces of the three countries and Australia conducted a multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea, in line with their commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News
