Latest news with #US-Philippines
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Vicious…' Man Sets People On Fire At Colorado's Gaza Hostage Rally, Suspect Soliman Held
More from world Trump And Musk's Spectacular Split Minute-By-Minute: How President & First Buddy's Friendship Ended Booby-Trap Kills 4 IDF Soldiers, Bibi Admits Arming Anti-Hamas Gaza Gang, French "Genocide" Probe Japan Spots Chinese Vessel Beyond "First Island Chain", US-Philippines Hold Drill in South China Sea "Nuclear Dust Would Have Blown..." Trump Takes India-Pak Truce Credit, Russia Hails "Involvement" US Sanctions Four ICC Judges Over Israel-US Probes, UN, EU Fume As Court's Independence 'Undermined'
The Star
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
China opposes Philippines, US, Australia joint patrol in South China Sea; but Philippines criticise a "high-risk" manoeuvre by Chinese vessel near disputed area
In this photo provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office (PAO), Philippine Marines participate in amphibious landing exercise as part of a joint US-Philippines military exercises called Balikatan or "shoulder to shoulder", Sunday May 4, 2025 in Balabac, Palawan province, Philippines. -- Armed Forces of the Philippines PAO via AP BEIJING, May 8 (Reuters): China's foreign ministry on Thursday expressed opposition against a recent joint sea and air patrol by the Philippines, the United States and Australia in the South China Sea. China is committed to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular press conference while urging relevant countries to stop forming groups and stirring up trouble in the region. The Philippines, meanwhile, criticised on Thursday a "high-risk" manoeuvre by a Chinese vessel near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in a rare incident involving warships from the two navies. The Scarborough Shoal -- a triangular chain of reefs and rocks in the contested South China Sea -- has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012. Monday's encounter took place "approximately 11.8 nautical miles southeast" of the Scarborough Shoal, the military said, during ongoing US-Philippine military exercises that Beijing has slammed as destabilising. "The Chinese frigate BN 554 was documented tailing PS35 (BRP Emilio Jacinto) at close range, while BN 573 dangerously crossed its bow in a high-risk maneuver that created the danger of collision," the military said in a statement, labelling the incident "threatening and provocative". China in response accused Manila of sending a ship to "intrude" into its territorial waters. Its military said it had sent "naval and air forces to track, monitor, warn and drive away the Philippine boat in accordance with laws and regulations". "The relevant remarks of the Philippines side disregarded the facts, confused the public, and attempted to mislead international cognition," said Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson of the Chinese military's Southern Theater Command. Philippines Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told AFP the last such encounter between warships from the two navies he could remember was on a resupply mission in the South China Sea two years ago. Alexander Lopez of Manila's National Maritime Council said the Chinese vessel had been "dangerously close" to its Philippine counterpart. The ship crossing the bow of the BRP Emilio Jacinto had come within about 180 metres (590 feet), he told AFP, leaving "no room for any manoeuvre, for any emergency cases". The Chinese vessel following alongside had been less than 100 metres away, he said. China and the Philippines have engaged in months of confrontations in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims in nearly its entirety despite an international ruling its assertion has no merit. A Filipino sailor lost a thumb last June when Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply its troops stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal. The joint US-Philippine exercises known as Balikatan, which this year were to simulate a "full-scale battle scenario", are set to end Friday.
South China Morning Post
06-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Philippine warship sinks prematurely, scuppering its use for Balikatan target practice
The BRP Miguel Malvar, old enough to have seen action in World War II, was scheduled to go out in a blaze of glory as a target ship during the annual US-Philippines ' Balikatan ' military exercises. Advertisement The 80-year-old vessel, however, would not quite make its own funeral. Onlookers instead watched as the ship, which once chased Japanese submarines and ferried German prisoners as part of the US fleet, sank on Monday before the first volley could be fired. 'The Balikatan 25 maritime strike targets vessel sank off the west coast of the Philippines prior to the event commencing today,' Philippine Navy spokesman John Percie Alcos said in cancelling a planned media event. 01:24 Philippines vows major exercises in coming Balikatan military drills with US Philippines vows major exercises in coming Balikatan military drills with US 'Due to rough sea conditions … and with its long service life … she took on a significant amount of water and eventually sank,' he said.
The Star
05-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Warship sinks before it can be sunk in US-Philippine drills
This handout photo taken and released on Monday, May 5, 2025 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows the decommissioned BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19) being positioned at its intended location during the US-Philippines joint military "Balikatan" exercise off the coast of San Antonio, Zambales. The BRP Miguel Malvar, old enough to have seen action in World War II, was scheduled to go out in a blaze of glory May 5, as a target ship during the annual US-Philippine "Balikatan" military exercises. - AFP MANILA (AFP): The BRP Miguel Malvar, old enough to have seen action in World War II, was scheduled to go out in a blaze of glory Monday, as a target ship during the annual US-Philippine "Balikatan" military exercises. The 80-year-old vessel, however, would not quite make its own funeral. Onlookers instead watched as the ship, which once chased Japanese submarines and ferried German prisoners as part of the US fleet, sank before the first volley could be fired. "The Balikatan 25 maritime strike targets vessel sank off the west coast of the Philippines prior to the event commencing today," Philippine Navy spokesman John Percie Alcos said in cancelling a planned media event. "Due to rough sea conditions ... and with its long service life... she took on a significant amount of water and eventually sank," he said Praising it as one of the most-decorated ships in Philippine history, Alcos added the country was proud to be "transitioning to a new and multi-capable navy". After more than 20 years of service, the vessel -- then named USS Brattleboro -- was sold to the Republic of Vietnam in 1966. The Philippine Navy acquired and refurbished the ship after its crew fled Vietnam following the 1975 fall of Saigon. Balikatan, three weeks of US-Philippine joint exercises aimed at deterring Beijing's ambitions in the disputed South China Sea, is set to end Friday. - AFP
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First Post
28-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
China, Philippines conduct competing photo ops, displaying their flags on a disputed sandbank
China and the Philippines have displayed their respective national flags in competing photos on a disputed sandbank in the South China Sea amid tensions read more Amid the brewing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, China and the Philippines have displayed their respective national flags in competing photos on a disputed sandbank in the South China Sea. The region in question is Sandy Cay, which is part of the disputed Spratly Islands. The displays from both nations came days after the US and the Philippines launched their annual joint military drills called 'Balikatan', or 'shoulder to shoulder'. According to The Guardian, this year the drills will include an integrated air and missile defence simulation for the first time. On Thursday, the Chinese state media reported that the country's Coast Guard landed on the disputed reef two weeks ago, unfurled a flag and 'exercised sovereign jurisdiction'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Sunday, the Chinese coast guard went on to accuse six Filipino personnel of 'illegally boarding' Sandy Cay, which Beijing calls Tiexian Reef, despite 'warnings and dissuasion'. China's spokesperson Liu Dejun said coast guard personnel then 'boarded the reef and investigated and dealt with it in accordance with the law'. 'We urge the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement,' Liu said, adding that the actions 'violated China's territorial sovereignty'. It is pertinent to note that Sandy Cay is just a few kilometres from Thitu Island, where the Philippines maintains a military outpost. The Philippines hits back On Monday, Philippine officials disputed China's claim that it had gained control. 'The facts on the ground belie their statements,' National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said. 'It is not to the benefit of any nation if these things are happening, nor is it to the benefit of any nation if such irresponsible announcements and statements are released to the public and to the world.' Meanwhile, the Philippines Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said that its navy, coast guard and police personnel had deployed to Sandy Cay in four rubber boats and had 'observed the illegal presence' of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and seven Chinese maritime militia vessels. He went on to share footage of their own flag being displayed. Tarriela added, 'This operation reflects the unwavering dedication and commitment of the Philippine government to uphold the country's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.' Over the years, Beijing has claimed sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea, waving away competing assertions from other countries in the region. Not only this, but China has also ignored an international ruling that clearly stated that its position had no legal basis. At the opening ceremony in Manila for the joint US-Philippines military drills, US Marine Corps Lieutenant General James Glynn said the two sides would 'demonstrate not just our will to uphold our mutual defence treaty in existence since 1951 but our matchless capability to do so'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Nothing builds bonds more quickly than shared adversity,' he said, without specifying a common threat. Meanwhile, Beijing maintained that military manoeuvres 'undermine regional strategic stability' and accused Manila of 'collusion with countries outside the region'. With inputs from AFP.
