Manila, Philippines – In a historic and dramatic turn of events, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been extradited to the Netherlands to face charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his controversial and deadly “war on drugs.” Duterte, 79, was arrested on Tuesday at Manila’s main airport before being…
Manila, Philippines – Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested Tuesday upon arrival at Manila’s international airport, following an official request from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The 79-year-old faces charges of crimes against humanity over his controversial war on drugs, which human rights groups claim led to the deaths of tens of thousands of…
WASHINGTON – The Trade War Returns The United States has reignited major trade conflicts with its three largest trading partners after President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China took effect early Tuesday. The measures, which impose a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods and double existing duties on…
The air crackled with tension. It was March 2024, and a Philippine resupply vessel, its paint peeling and rust blooming like a macabre flower, limped towards Second Thomas Shoal. Its mission: to deliver vital supplies to a handful of Filipino marines stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a decaying warship intentionally grounded on the shoal…
A rising sun painted the skies over the South China Sea, its shimmering waters a stark reminder of the tensions simmering beneath. For decades, the Philippine military focused inward, battling insurgencies and calamities. But now, as the world’s geopolitical tectonic plates shift, a new dawn emerges for the archipelago. The roar of engines and the…
In a strategic move underscoring their deepening defense ties, Canada and the Philippines are finalizing a pivotal agreement to enhance joint military exercises. This development comes amid rising concerns over China’s assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in the disputed South China Sea. Canadian Ambassador David Hartman emphasized Canada’s commitment to challenging China’s “provocative…
In 1995, Filipino fishermen seeking shelter from a storm stumbled upon a curious sight in the South China Sea. What they thought was a safe haven turned out to be something far more controversial—Mischief Reef, with mysterious new structures built by foreign hands. This seemingly barren atoll, once a quiet fishing ground, has since become…
“A single spark can start a prairie fire.” — Mao Zedong. Mao understood the power of small, seemingly insignificant actions to trigger massive, uncontrollable events. Is this the fate that awaits the Indo-Pacific, where the world’s rising superpower, China, faces the potential of simultaneous conflict with three nations—Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines? The region is…
“If They Can, Why Can’t We?” In the contested waters of the South China Sea, China has transformed barren reefs into militarized fortresses, and Vietnam has dotted the region with its own outposts. The Philippines, despite sitting at the heart of this maritime crossroads, lags with temporary shelters and a lone rusting warship at Ayungin…
The Philippines finds itself at the epicenter of a high-stakes geopolitical chess game, where its strategic location in the Indo-Pacific places it at the crossroads of the U.S. China competition. With over 7,600 islands forming part of the First Island Chain, the country serves as a critical anchor for Washington’s efforts to counter Beijing’s assertiveness…
