Philippines seeking to formalise the ‘Squad’ alliance with its partners For decades, the Philippines’ security architecture rested almost entirely on its alliance with the United States, anchored by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and sustained through the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Yet, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Manila…
Philippines Prepares to Fight Alone for 30 Days if War Breaks Out In a striking and sobering statement, General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), declared: “We will be the ones to go to war first. We should be able to fight and preserve our forces for…
Philippines Negotiates Submarine Deal With South Korea’s Hanwha The Philippines is entering a transformative phase in its national defense strategy as it negotiates its first-ever submarine acquisition, a historic move decades in the making. For an archipelagic nation with over 7,600 islands and a 2.2 million square kilometer maritime domain, the absence of a submarine…
Philippines Triples Patrol Area in South China Sea – Boosts Deterrence The Philippines has taken one of its boldest defense steps yet in the ongoing South China Sea dispute, a sweeping decision to triple its patrol area in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This strategic expansion signals a major policy shift away from years of…
Have you ever wondered what would happen if a narrow stretch of ocean decided the future of two superpowers? Or how one small waterway could decide whether peace or war breaks out across the Pacific? Picture this: massive warships silently moving beneath stormy skies, submarines lurking in the depths, and fighter jets tracing invisible borders…
Philippines to Head ASEAN! Big Changes Coming in South China Sea In 2026, the Philippines is set to assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a pivotal moment that comes at a time of growing regional uncertainty and rising tensions in the South China Sea. This marks the country’s first time…
Ukraine Joins First Drone Warfare Summit in Subic Bay The Drone Warfare Summit 2025, held from October 27–29, 2025, at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center in the Philippines, marked a significant milestone for the Indo-Pacific region and for the Philippines’ growing role in defense technology diplomacy. Hosted by the Philippine Navy, the event…
Pentagon chief joins South-east Asian meet to shore up US ties In October 2025, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth arrived in Kuala Lumpur to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), a pivotal annual gathering that brings together Southeast Asian defense ministers and major dialogue partners, including the US, China, Japan, India, Australia, and Russia. This…
US Missiles Stationed in Philippines Can Reach China A new phase of great-power competition is unfolding, not in the deep blue waters of the South China Sea, but on the rugged plains of Northern Luzon. The quiet arrival of America’s Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system in 2024 marks the most significant strategic shift in U.S.-Philippine…
The Philippines is set to boost its maritime defense with France’s help. A new program for 40 patrol vessels shows Manila is no longer alone in the West Philippine Sea crisis. This deal with French shipbuilder OCEA goes beyond just getting boats. It strengthens a strategic partnership and shifts the Philippines’ maritime stance. As tensions…
