philippines Archives - Page 3 of 20

Philippines Draws Line Against China: ‘Scarborough Will Not Become Another Mischief Reef’

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…

If Sabah Held a Referendum Today, Which Flag Would Win?

indopacificreport4 weeks ago4 weeks ago012 mins

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…

Philippines Faces the Fire as China Militarizes Scarborough Shoal With Nuclear Bombers

China’s Bombers Move In, Manila Refuses to Back Down – South China Sea Crisis Escalates

indopacificreport4 weeks ago4 weeks ago011 mins

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…

Scarborough Shoal The Philippines’ Next Stand Against China’s Expansionism

Philippines: No Mischief Reef Repeat at Scarborough Shoal

indopacificreport4 weeks ago08 mins

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,…

Pentagon’s $975K Project at Oyster Bay Sends a Warning to China

indopacificreport4 weeks ago4 weeks ago021 mins

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…

Philippines to Upgrade Luzon Fiber Optic Cable to Bypass Dangerous South China Sea Waters

Philippines’ Digital Success Story: How the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure is Revolutionizing Global Connectivity with 50x Faster Internet

indopacificreport4 weeks ago4 weeks ago06 mins

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…

Will China Agree to the Philippines proposed Code of Conduct for the SCS

indopacificreport4 weeks ago028 mins

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…

Indonesia Joins Philippines for Massive Naval Drill in the South China Sea

indopacificreport1 month ago09 mins

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…

Why Guam Matters For Philippines and Taiwan Against China

indopacificreport1 month ago035 mins

Guam, the United States’ westernmost territory, is fast becoming one of the most important pieces on the Indo-Pacific chessboard. Its position, about 1,600 miles east of Manila and 1,700 miles south of Tokyo, places it close enough to key Asian flashpoints for rapid action, yet far enough to provide a defensive cushion from the immediate…

Philippines Calls on the World to Stop China’s South China Sea Grab

indopacificreport1 month ago027 mins

The Philippines is raising its voice like never before, urging the world to stop what it calls China’s “seizure” of the South China Sea. The South China Sea is one of the planet’s busiest economic lifelines, carrying an estimated US $3.36 trillion in trade every year, which explains why both Manila and Beijing see it…