#Manila has allocated $35 billion for the buildup, spread over the next decade, as it has faced off with #China in sea and air confrontations over contested areas of the busy #SouthChinaSea waterway. #WestPHSea
#Philippines draws defence firms as military modernises amid South China Sea tension
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/philippines-draws-defence-firms-as-military-modernises-amid-south-china-sea-tension/ar-AA1rzvMB?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01
"As compared to #China, we only have 107,000-strong reservists, some of them have aged already. Don’t we want to increase their number? Our soldiers also retire, so who would protect our security and territory? We’re not saying we’re engaging in a fight. But it’s a lot better when we show something in action than in words" - Senate Majority Floor Leader #FrancisTolentino
#Marcos to Senate: #ROTC bill must be prioritized
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1988206/marcos-to-senate-rotc-bill-must-be-prioritized#ixzz8nGq3XEbx
#MANILA, #Philippines — The combined armed and defense forces of the #Philippines, #Australia, #Japan, #NewZealand, and the #US will conduct a joint patrol in the #WestPhilippinesSea on September 28. #WestPHSea
PH, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, US joint patrol in WPS set
https://www.inquirer.net/414201/ph-australia-japan-new-zealand-us-joint-patrol-in-west-philippine-sea-set-wps/
The Philippine National Security Council says the incident took place on September 23 and its aircraft was still able to complete its mission. #China's embassy in #Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. #WestPHSea
#Philippines says its aircraft was shadowed by Chinese navy helicopter during patrol
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/fisheries-aircraft-shadowed-chinese-navy-helicopter-during-patrol-september-2024/
The Philippine National Security Council says the incident took place on September 23 and its aircraft was still able to complete its mission. China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The #BRPTeresaMagbanua, the Southeast Asian country's largest coast guard vessel, returned to port on Sunday from the disputed #SabinaShoal after a five-month deployment.
It was deployed in April to monitor what #Manila claims to be #China's small-scale land reclamation activities in the region. #WestPHSea
#Philippines withdraws coast guard ship from disputed #SouthChinaSea shoal
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/philippines-withdraws-coast-guard-ship-from-disputed-south-china-sea-shoal/ar-AA1qDJz2?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01
The summit is aimed at finding ways to “talk some sense” into #China and send a message to president #XiJinping, #Manila’s envoy to #America said on Tuesday. Jose Manuel Romualdez did not name any of the countries that are likely to attend. #WestPHSea
#Philippines calls summit of Pacific allies amid fears one ‘wrong move’ could trigger war in #SouthChinaSea
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/philippines-calls-summit-of-pacific-allies-amid-fears-one-wrong-move-could-trigger-war-in-south-china-sea/ar-AA1qnyJf?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01
The #Philippines wants to upgrade its military with mid-range #missiles and advanced #FighterJets, two senior security officials said on Thursday, spending at least $33 billion as it modernises its defence in the face of growing regional tensions.
The military wants to acquire more cutting-edge weaponry, armed forces chief #RomeoBrawner told reporters. #WestPHSea
Philippines eyes mid-range missiles, 40 fighter jets to modernise military
https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/world/philippines-eyes-mid-range-missiles-40-fighter-jets-to-modernise-military/ar-AA1pDD0X
Over the past week, Chinese and Philippine vessels have engaged in multiple collisions and face-offs near #SabinaShoal, a disputed atoll lying just 86 miles from the #Philippines’ west coast and 745 miles from #China, which claims almost all of the #SouthChinaSea as its sovereign territory despite an international ruling to the contrary. #WestPHSea
A dangerous new flashpoint is fast emerging in the South China Sea
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/27/asia/china-philippines-new-flashpoint-sabina-shoal-intl-hnk/index.html
A stretch of uninhabited, low-lying reefs in the South China Sea is fast becoming a dangerous new flashpoint between China and the Philippines, dealing a blow to recent efforts to de-escalate tensions in one of the world’s most vital waterways.
#China's been pissing off several countries lately.
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"This latest incursion may seem alarming as China tends not to venture directly into #JapaneseAirspace," Professor #IanChong, a Chinese foreign policy expert at the National University of Singapore, told the BBC.
#SouthChinaSea #WestPHSea #Philippines #Taiwan
#Japan says Chinese spy plane violated its airspace
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr40dpz1rkwo?utm_source=press.coop
The attempt to resupply came a day after #ChineseVessels rammed and pummeled a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (#BFAR) ship with #WaterCannons to disrupt a mission to aid fishermen and bring supplies to the #BRPTeresaMagbanua, which has been parked at the shoal since April amid the continued presence of #ChineseMilitia and suspected reclamation activities. #WestPHSea #EscodaShoal
No letup: Chinese vessels block #PCG ships at Escoda
https://www.inquirer.net/411913/no-letup-chinese-vessels-block-pcg-ships-at-escoda/#ixzz8k4BCyrdM
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