“Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.” – Lord Palmerston The waves of the Pacific have carried many alliances, but few are as deeply woven into history as the ties between the United States and the Philippines. It’s a bond forged in war, shaped by geopolitics, and strengthened by shared…
On a quiet morning in the South China Sea, a Philippine patrol vessel detected an incoming object, fast, low-flying, and headed straight for its position. Within seconds, alarms blare. The ship scrambles to respond, but in this simulated drill, it’s already too late. Manila is rushing to improve its missile capabilities for just this reason….
In 1992, the last American warship left Subic Bay, marking the end of an era. Filipinos celebrated the departure, believing they had reclaimed their sovereignty. But little did they know that three decades later, the ghosts of the past would return, not in the form of American warships, but in the shadows of a rising…
“We’re seeing an increasingly tough surrounding security environment, and that there is a need for the two nations, strategically aligned, to strengthen their defense cooperation and collaboration to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said in a top-level meeting in Manila. In a breakthrough, Tokyo and Manila have agreed…
A New Dawn for the Philippines For three long years, the Philippines stood under the watchful eye of global financial regulators, burdened by its presence on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) infamous ‘grey list.’ Investors hesitated, financial institutions proceeded with caution, and the nation’s reputation hung in the balance. But now, in a move…
The radio crackled aboard the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua. A Chinese militia ship was shadowing them—again. But this time, the response was swift. Holding their course, the Filipino crew delivered a firm message over the radio: “You are in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. Leave immediately.” Moments later, a Philippine resupply…
A Rusting Relic, A Nation’s Resolve The BRP Sierra Madre stands defiant—a rusting hulk battered by time and the relentless tides of the South China Sea. It was never meant to be a fortress, yet here it is, an unyielding bastion of Philippine sovereignty. Stranded intentionally on the shallow waters of the Second Thomas Shoal,…
From Helpless to Armed: The Philippines’ Big Move For years, Filipino sailors patrolling the South China Sea have faced a frustrating reality. Each time a Chinese coast guard vessel blocks their path, each time a swarm of militia boats encircles their ship, there’s little they can do but radio for help, take evasive action, and…
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…
“How do you stand firm against a giant in your backyard?” This is the question facing the Philippines as it confronts China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. In a region where fishing boats are shadowed by warships, and reefs transform into military bases overnight, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Against this backdrop, U.S….
