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….
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…
