Philippines–US–Japan Military Drills Over the Bashi Channel (Feb 2026) The morning fog over Batanes hung thick, curling around the jagged cliffs like it was hiding something. Something big. I was standing there, watching the tiny fishing boats bob against waves that now shared space with gray silhouettes of warships, Philippine, US, and Japanese, sliding through…
Does Indonesia Also Have a Stake in Sabah? Last week, when headlines once again mentioned “heightened patrols near Sabah” and quiet diplomatic conversations in Kuala Lumpur, something struck me. Not what was said. But what wasn’t. Every time Sabah makes the news, the script feels familiar. It’s always framed as Malaysia versus the Philippines. The…
Catholic Church to Open a Mission on a South China Sea Island Claimed by the Philippines and China “We bring no weapons. We bring the Gospel.” That quiet line, shared in early reports this week, hit harder than any naval press release. Because here’s the question no one expected to ask in 2026: What happens…
Philippines Strengthens Grip in South China Sea with Pag-asa Runway Upgrade “The runway is complete.” That was the quiet line coming out of Manila this week, almost understated, almost routine. And yet, if you’ve been watching the South China Sea even casually, you know this is not routine. Not even close. Here’s the real question:…
