Introduction: The West Philippine Sea as a National Lifeline The West Philippine Sea (WPS) — the portion of the South China Sea lying within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) — has once again surged to the forefront of Manila’s foreign policy, defense strategy, and national identity. More than just water, it is a vital artery for national food security, energy sovereignty, and maritime…
Breaking Ground: DOE’s Landmark Solar Launch in Balabac Picture this: On October 3, 2025, under the tropical sun of Palawan, the Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) flipped the switch on a revolutionary solar mobile power system—the Mobile Energy System (MES)—bringing reliable, clean electricity to one of the country’s most isolated spots. This isn’t just another panel on a roof; it’s a…
Introduction: A Familiar Chinese Tactic in the South China Sea When China announced its plan to create a “marine nature reserve” at the disputed Scarborough Shoal (known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines), it was packaged as an eco-friendly move. But in Manila, it triggered immediate alarm bells among defense officials and veterans of the South China Sea dispute. This China Scarborough Shoal nature reserve proposal echoes past deceptions—phrases…
Introduction: Sabah’s Flag as a Symbol of Identity and Sovereignty Flags aren’t just pieces of fabric—they’re powerful symbols of who we are and where we belong. In Sabah, this rings especially true, with three official state flags since 1963 reflecting a tug-of-war between Sabah national unity and local pride. Imagine a hypothetical Sabah referendum or Sabah flag referendum today: it would be…
China’s Dangerous Escalation: H-6 Bombers Deployed Near Scarborough Shoal In late 2025, the South China Sea crisis 2025 reached a critical breaking point as satellite intelligence confirmed the deployment of China H-6 bombers Scarborough Shoal armed with YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missiles near Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc). This provocative military move, timed to coincide with China’s National Day on October 1, 2025, marked the first time Beijing stationed high-intensity strike…
When China proposed creating a “marine nature reserve” at Scarborough Shoal, it sounded like an environmental initiative. But in Manila, alarm bells rang. Filipino defense officials, veterans of the South China Sea dispute, recognized the familiar pattern—one that began with vague promises and ended in military outposts. They had seen it before at Mischief Reef,…
The recent decision by the U.S. Department of Defense to allocate funds for the development of the Philippine naval base at Oyster Bay in Palawan is emblematic of a broader shift in U.S.-Philippines defense cooperation, one defined by technological innovation, maritime logistics, and the urgent realities of China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. Palawan’s…
Introduction: Turning Geography into a Strength The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, has long been defined by its geography—but now, it’s turning that geography into a strength. The Luzon Bypass Infrastructure (LBI), a groundbreaking terrestrial fiber-optic corridor, is reshaping the country’s role in global telecommunications. By bypassing the Luzon Strait, one of the most seismically active…
On September 16, 2025, the China Coast Guard’s water cannon assault at Scarborough Shoal highlighted the intensifying clash between Beijing’s expansive claims and Manila’s defense of its sovereign rights. The Philippines under President Marcos Jr. is pushing for a legally binding Code of Conduct (CoC) to end coercion, collisions, and new island-building. The South China…
In late September 2025, the skies and seas over North Sulawesi near the Indonesia–Philippines maritime border became a stage for strategic signaling. The two nations launched Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Philindo 2025, a bilateral naval exercise involving ships such as Indonesia’s KRI Lumba-lumba 881 and the Philippines’ BRP Artemio Ricarte. As Lt. Col. Rudi Tandirerung…
