The incident was the second of two encounters the #Ottawa’s helicopter had with Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy #J11 fighter jets over international waters on October 29, which saw the fighters get as close as 100 feet from the helicopter, Millen told CNN in an interview aboard the warship. #Canada #China

Exclusive: Chinese jet fired flares close to submarine-hunting helicopter in #SouthChinaSea, Canadian Navy says | CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/03/asia/canada-china-helicopter-interception-south-china-sea-hnk-intl/index.html

Image source : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenyang_J-11

Diplomacy focused on the contested waters is the latest in a series of talks leading up to #JoeBiden and #XiJinping’s meeting this month in #SanFrancisco. #China

#US, Chinese diplomats meet in Beijing to discuss maritime issues including #SouthChinaSea
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3240318/us-chinese-diplomats-meet-beijing-discuss-maritime-issues-including-south-china-sea

#MANILA, #Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (#PCG) will receive five additional multi-role response vessels from #Japan within the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to National Economic and Development Authority (#NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan on Thursday. #WestPHSea #SouthChinaSea

#PHCoastGuard to receive 5 vessels from Japan
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/222343/ph-coast-guard-to-receive-5-vessels-from-japan

#Filipino and Chinese vessels engaged in a heated confrontation anew during another resupply mission in #AyunginShoal, #WestPhilippineSea on Friday, Nov. 10, with the hostilities reaching its climax when a #ChinaCoastGuard (CCG) ship deployed a #watercannon against a much smaller indigenous boat chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). #BRPSierraMadre #Philippines #SouthChinaSea

China Coast Guard deploys water cannon vs PH supply boat anew
https://mb.com.ph/2023/11/9/china-coast-guard-deploys-water-cannon-vs-ph-supply-boat-anew

The #Philippines occupies nine features in the #KalayaanIsland Group (KIG) , namely: #Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, #Pagasa (Thitu) Island, #Lawak (Nanshan) Island, #Parola (Northeast Cay) Island, #Patag (Flat) Island, #Kota (Loaita) Island, #Rizal (Commodore) Reef, #Likas (West York) Island, and #Panata (Lankiam Cay) Island. #SouthChinaSea

Romualdez bares #WestPHSea development project plans | Global News
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/222457/romualdez-on-govt-plans-to-develop-other-islands-in-wps

ABOARD THE #BRPMelchoraAquino – It’s a sight to behold – perhaps not in a good way. In an area in the #WestPhilippineSea well within the #Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (#EEZ), the Philippines’ was vastly outnumbered against #China in another routine resupply mission to the #BRPSierraMadre in #AyunginShoal. #SouthChinaSea

WATCH: In Ayungin, PH Coast Guard smarts and daring trump China’s 11-ship blocking team 
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/video-philippine-coast-guard-china-ship-blocking-ayungin-shoal-november-10-2023/

Sen. #GracePoe, the sponsor of the #DOTr 2024 budget, said the #PCG was spending P1.7 billion yearly for fuel alone. She added that most PCG vessels were “inoperable” as these had not been maintained due to insufficient funds. #Philippines

Senate grants additional budget for #PhilippineCoastGuard | Inquirer News
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1859339/senate-gramts-additional-budget-for-philippine-coast-guard

It is rare for a head of state to visit the USINDOPACOM, and Malacañang said Marcos was the first Philippine president to set foot in the military base.

The #USINDOPACOM covers the vast #IndoPacific, including waters and airspace adjacent to the #Philippines.

#Marcos makes rare visit to US Indo-Pacific Command in #Hawaii
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-rare-visit-us-indo-pacific-command-hawaii-november-2023/

#MANILA, #Philippines – The National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday, November 21, said it “does not support” a planned December 5 civilian resupply mission to #AyunginShoal, a flashpoint for tensions between Manila and Beijing in the #WestPhilippineSea. #BRPSierraMadre #SecondThomasShoal

#NationalSecurit Council thumbs down civilian #Christmas convoy to #Ayungin
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/national-security-council-thumbs-down-civilian-christmas-convoy-ayungin-shoal/

The three-day patrol started off the #Philippines’ northernmost islands(#Batanes) near #Taiwan and were to move toward #SouthChinaSea (#WestPhilippineSea) waters within Manila’s exclusive economic zone, officials said.

The patrols involve three navy ships and three fighter-jets from the Philippine military, which were to be joined by one littoral combat ship and one aircraft from the #American side.

#US, Philippines launch joint sea and air patrols
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/southchinasea/philippines-sea-patrols-11212023131636.html

On Tuesday, the Philippine Air Force’s #FA50 light combat aircraft flew in tandem with the US Air Force’s #F15C fighter jets and C-130 from #Batanes to the #WestPhilippineSea to test joint flight doctrines and further enhance interoperability, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. #Philippines #US #SouthChinaSea

#China keeps watch on PH-US sea patrols | Global News
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/223206/china-keeps-watch-on-ph-us-sea-patrols?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=gallery

"It was confirmed as per reports received that two Chinese fighter jets were monitored orbiting the #Philippines' A-29B #SuperTucano at the vicinity of #HuboReef in the #WestPhilippineSea," Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said. #KalayaanIsland #WestPHSea #China

Chinese fighter jets 'orbit' Philippine aircraft during PH-#Australia joint patrol | GMA News Online
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/889598/chinese-fighter-jets-orbit-philippine-aircraft-during-ph-australia-joint-patrol/story/

#MANILA, #Philippines — Three of the #PhilippineCoastGuard (PCG) multirole response vessels often used in regular resupply missions to a military outpost in #WestPhilippineSea (WPS) participated in joint water cannon and towing drills between Philippines and #Japan.

PCG boats used in WPS missions join PH-Japan water cannon, towing drills | Global News
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/223522/pcg-boats-used-in-wps-missions-join-ph-japan-water-cannon-towing-drills?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=gallery

#MANILA, #Philippines — The #NationalSecurityCouncil (NSC) finally green-lighted on Tuesday the civilian-led #ChristmasConvoy to the #WestPhilippineSea (WPS), allowing them to pass through the general vicinity of #AyunginShoal (#SecondThomasShoal) . #SouthChinaSea #WestPHSea

However, the NSC did not allow the convoy to reach the #BRPSierraMadre, according to its spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.

NSC approves Christmas convoy to WPS; BRP Sierra Madre still off limits
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/223557/christmas-convoy-in-ayungin-shoal

The new carrier is projected to hold at least 28 fighter jets and helicopters and displace 45,000 tons of water, a common measurement of warship size. The #Vikrant also displaces 45,000 tons.

The carrier is to be equipped with French-made #Rafale jets, Bloomberg said, a decision reflecting India's ongoing military modernization and partial phasing out of older Soviet- and Russia-made hardware.

#India Orders $5 Billion Aircraft Carrier With Eye on #China, Report Says
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/technology/india-orders-5-billion-aircraft-carrier-with-eye-on-china-report-says/ar-AA1kJ7rN

Inaugurated on Friday, the new three-storey facility is equipped with state-of-the art technology such as #radar, #AutomaticIdentification, #SatelliteCommunication, and coastal cameras, the Philippine coast guard said in a statement. #Manila's outpost of Thitu is its biggest and most strategically important in the #SouthChinaSea, largely claimed by Beijing. #KalayaanIsland #WestPHSea

#Philippines builds new coast guard station on island in South China Sea
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/philippines-builds-new-coast-guard-station-on-island-in-south-china-sea/ar-AA1kPOcd?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

The #Philippines currently has two active #VFAs: one with the #UnitedStates which was ratified by the Senate in 1999 and with #Australia which was signed in 2007 but was ratified and took effect only in 2012.

The VFA with #Japan is in the works.

PH, #France eye VFA, deeper defense ties
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/223786/ph-france-eye-vfa-deeper-defense-ties?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=gallery

#MANILA, #Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (#PCG) on Sunday said it has monitored “more than 135” suspected Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMM) in #JulianFelipeReef, a substantial increase compared to the previous month. #WestPHSea #SouthChinaSea #China

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/223807/pcg-monitors-over-135-chinese-maritime-militia-vessels-in-julian-felipe-reef

#MANILA, #Philippines— The Chinese vessels in #JulianFelipeReef appear to be unmanned, being left as a territorial demarcation, according to #NationalSecurityCouncil (NSC) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya on Monday.

This came after a total of 135 Chinese vessels were monitored in the Julian Felipe Reef in the #WestPhilippineSea over the weekend. #WestPHSea

Chinese vessels seen in Julian Felipe Reef are unmanned
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/223837/chinese-vessels-seen-in-julian-felipe-reef-are-unmanned-says-nsc-spox

#MANILA, #Philippines – Over 40 volunteers composed mostly of youth and student leaders arrived in #ElNido, #Palawan, on Saturday, December 9, in line with the three-day #ChristmasConvoy civilian supply mission to the #WestPhilippineSea that will begin on Saturday, December 10.

The volunteers, who also include fisherfolk representatives, among others, arrived in El Nido from #Manila, aboard the TS Kapitan Felix Oca that had been loaded with donations and supplies.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/photos-volunteers-civilian-christmas-convoy-ayungin-arrives-palawan-december-9-2023/

In a statement, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS) said #ChineseCoastGuard (CCG) ships used water cannons against the vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (#BFAR) namely Datu Sanday, Datu Bankaw, and Datu Tamblot near #BajoDeMasinloc (#Scarborough Shoal). The three BFAR ships are civilian vessels. #Philippines #SouthChinaSea

#China fires water cannon at Filipino ships in #WestPHSea
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/china-fires-water-cannon-filipino-ships-west-philippine-sea-december-2023/

#MANILA, #Philippines — A group of #Filipino civilians will embark in a historic journey in Philippine waters — they will sail to the #WestPhilippineSea to assert the country’s control over our own waters.

Organized by #AtinIto coalition, the program will begin on Sunday, December 10.

What you need to know: Atin Ito's #ChristmasConvoy to #WestPHSea
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/things-to-know-atin-ito-christmas-convoy-west-philippine-sea/

The #ChristmasConvoy had initially planned to first visit the vicinity of #SecondThomasShoal(#AyunginShoal) but David said it had changed its route in response to Sunday’s incident, and would instead proceed directly to the islands of #Lawak and #Patag to drop off donations. #WestPhilippineSea #AtinIto

Santa ‘won’t be bullied’: #Philippines festive convoy sets off for waters disputed with #China | #SouthChinaSea | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/10/filipino-volunteers-send-santa-convoy-to-cheer-up-isles-disputed-by-bully-china

The #Philippines is using a recently installed Japanese-made air-surveillance radar system at #WallaceAirStation in San Fernando City to monitor activity off its coast. It says it will share data from the radar with Tokyo to strengthen their security relationship. #SouthChinaSea #China #WestPhilippineSea

Philippines watches disputed waters with #Japan-made radar | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231220_33/

Located at a #PhilippineAirForce (PAF) base here, the Japanese-built air surveillance radar system (#ASRS) was formally turned over to the PAF in simple ceremonies held on Wednesday.

The #WallaceAirStation, a former US air base, has been without any capability to detect intrusions since 2015 after it retired its #US-made air surveillance radars that had been in use since the 1950s. #Philippines #WestPHSea #Japan

PAF acquires sharper eye for threats in WPS
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/224662/paf-acquires-sharper-eye-for-threats-in-wps?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=gallery

#MANILA, #Philippines – Foreign ministers of Southeast Asia’s regional bloc Association of Southeast Asian Nations (#ASEAN) on Saturday, December 30, expressed their concern over growing tensions in the #SouthChinaSea which they said could threaten regional peace and urged for peaceful dialogue among parties. #SoutheastAsia #TootSEA

ASEAN foreign ministers express concern over South China Sea tensions
https://www.rappler.com/world/asia-pacific/asean-foreign-ministers-express-concern-south-china-sea-tensions/

Footage shared by state broadcaster CCTV and the Chinese military on Thursday showed what they called "live fire drills" taking place over the sea.

One video, shared by the Chinese military's Southern Theatre Command, showed jets taking off and firing missiles that then struck targets.

The drills coincided with a two-day exercise by the #US and the #Philippines in the disputed waters, involving an aircraft carrier strike group led by the #USSCarlVinson. #SouthChinaSea

https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20240104-china-and-us-hold-rival-military-drills-in-disputed-south-china-sea

#MANILA, #Philippines – Two Chinese navy vessels shadowed Philippine and US ships conducting joint patrols in the #SouthChinaSea, the Philippine military said on Thursday, January 4 as tensions flare in the region over disputed territorial claims.

The two-day maritime exercises involving Manila and #Washington, were the second in less than two months in the #WestPhilippineSea – within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (#EEZ). #China

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/chinese-vessels-shadow-philippine-united-states-ships/

#MANILA, #Philippines – The Philippines will develop islands in the #SouthChinaSea that it considers part of its territory to make them more habitable for troops, #Manila’s military chief Romeo Brawner told reporters on Monday, January 15. #WestPHSea

Philippines to develop islands in South China Sea – Brawner
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/philippines-develop-islands-south-china-sea/

Defense Secretary #GilbertoTeodoro Jr. on Tuesday night again condemned #China’s latest act of aggression against #FilipinoFishermen in the resource-rich #ScarboroughShoal, locally known as #BajoDeMasinloc, which is within Manila’s 270-kilometer exclusive economic zone.

Teodoro said China “has no business harassing Filipino fishermen” after a video showed local fisherfolk being driven away by the Chinese coast guard. #Philippines
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/225718/defense-chief-scores-harassment-of-pinoy-fishers

China has deployed at least 50 maritime militia ships at #PanganibanReef (#MischiefReef) ahead of another mission to resupply Filipino troops on a decrepit World War II-era ship serving as the #Philippines’ outpost at the nearby #AyunginShoal (#SecondThomasShoal) , according to an American maritime expert. #WestPHSea #SouthChinaSea #BRPSierraMadre

Expert: #China has placed 50 ships ahead of PH mission
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/225749/expert-china-has-placed-50-ships-ahead-of-ph-mission

The #Philippines signed an P18.9-billion deal with #BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd.—an Indian-Russian joint venture—in January 2022 for three batteries of the cruise missiles as part the #PhilippineNavy’s shore-based #AntishipMissile system project. #WestPHSea

PH to get supersonic missiles soon – #India envoy
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/225785/ph-to-get-supersonic-missiles-soon-india-envoy

image source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BrahMos

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111684145841842974

The two Southeast Asian countries have competing claims over some parts of the #SouthChinaSea, a conduit for $3 trillion of annual ship-borne trade that #China claims almost in its entirety. #SoutheastAsia #ASEAN #WestPHSea

#Vietnam, #Philippines seal deals on South China Sea security
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/cooperation-deals-with-vietnam-south-china-sea-security/

#MANILA, #Philippines — The Philippines will get a delivery of supersonic missiles by March, according to #NationalSecurityCouncil (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya on Friday.

In an ambush interview in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Malaya said that the ground system for the #BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles will arrive in February. #WestPHSea

PH to receive supersonic missiles by March, says Malaya
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1898388/ph-to-receive-supersonic-missiles-by-march-says-malaya

Back toot : https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111837081224333802

Filipino bishops rebuked #China in a rare statement about the #WestPhilippineSea dispute, and said it is “morally permissible” to take refuge in “the friendship of allies” if diplomacy fails.

The statement was an exceptional instance when bishops in the #Philippines, a predominantly #Catholic country, spoke out on foreign policy. #WestPHSea #CatholicChurch

Filipino bishops hit China in sea row, say ‘allies’ needed if diplomacy fails
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/filipino-bishops-statement-china-west-philippine-sea-dispute/

The #BashiChannel between those islands and #Taiwan is considered a choke point for vessels moving between the western #Pacific and the contested #SouthChinaSea. The Chinese military regularly sends ships and aircraft through the channel, Taiwan's defence ministry has said. #China #WestPHSea

#Philippines to boost military presence in islands facing #Taiwan
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/philippines-to-boost-military-presence-in-islands-facing-taiwan/ar-BB1hU2oF?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

Earlier, the PCG said that its X account had been “compromised.”

Posts on the PCG’s X page and its reply tabs were empty, although the “like” reactions were kept – however, most of the “likes” came from a particular account promoting cryptocurrency. #Philippines #WestPHSea #PHCoastGuard #CyberSec

PCG regains X page after hack
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1904814/fwd-break-pcgs-x-page-now-retrieved

The Philippines is close to sealing a deal with Sweden to acquire a squadron of 12 multi-role fighters worth 61 billion pesos, a defense spokesman said on Friday.

Director Arsenio Andolong said both sides are expected to sign an agreement by next month in Sweden. #JAS39Gripen

MULTI-ROLE FIGHTERS (#MRF): #Philippines, #Sweden discuss multi-role fighter acquisition

https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/multi-role-fighters-philippines-sweden-discuss-multi-role-fighter-acquisition

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111217370519906131

The #Philippines will take “decisive action” in securing its traditional fishing grounds at #PanatagShoal/ #ScarboroughShoal amid growing Chinese aggression in the #WestPhilippineSea.

Vessels from the Philippine Coast Guard (#PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (#BFAR) will be taking turns securing the shoal for Filipino fishermen. #WestPHSea #SouthChinaSea #China

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/557194/west-philippine-sea-guard-ph-shoal-fishers-with-frequent-patrols

A brief update on the #Philippines: we'll be getting *both* #JAS39Gripen (s) & #F16 (s).
-----
Because of #Beijing’s massive defence build-up in the region, #SoutheastAsia air forces are ordering new equipment and eyeing more potent capabilities.

#China has built air bases on #FieryCrossReef and #SubiReef in the #SpratlyIslands, as well as two in the #ParacelIslands, which are contested with #Vietnam. #WestPHSea #SouthChinaSea

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/southeast-asias-fixed-wing-combat-fleet-set-for-growth/156162.article

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