https://www.scmp.com/rss/521997/feed The latest news and top stories on Philippine Coast Guard. A prominent Manila-based governmental body, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is the Philippines’ third armed uniformed service, attached to the Department of Transportation. Its primary mission encompasses maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime safety, and marine environmental protection. The PCG is crucial for safeguarding life and property at sea, enforcing laws within Philippine waters, and protecting marine resources.... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Raissa Robles Raissa Robles President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s decision to promote coastguard officer Jay Tarriela – despite Beijing’s calls for him to be sanctioned – is being read by analysts as a calibrated signal of how the Philippines intends to manage its maritime dispute with China. Rather than a routine personnel move, they say, the elevation of one of the government’s most outspoken maritime voices suggests Marcos is doubling down on a strategy that pairs public exposure of Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3345174/philippines-promotes-coastguard-officer-deliberate-signal-south-china-sea-dispute?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3345174/philippines-promotes-coastguard-officer-deliberate-signal-south-china-sea-dispute?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:17:04 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles A nationwide mural contest backed by Philippine government agencies has been launched in Manila, the latest in a string of cultural initiatives aimed at shaping public narratives around the South China Sea dispute. Organised by a Manila-based maritime think tank and supported by state institutions including the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the competition invites artists, students and ordinary Filipinos to create large-scale works inspired by the “West Philippine Sea” – Manila’s... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344326/art-advocacy-philippine-mural-contest-adds-south-china-sea-messaging-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344326/art-advocacy-philippine-mural-contest-adds-south-china-sea-messaging-push?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:00:09 +0000 Sophie Wushuang Yi Sophie Wushuang Yi Last month, in the same week that Chinese and Philippine diplomats restarted political dialogue for the first time in over a year, the People’s Liberation Army bombers conducted combat patrols over Scarborough Shoal. China then released a video marking the fifth anniversary of its coastguard law, emphasising the force’s legal mandate and role in maritime governance. It also features footage of the June 2024 confrontation with the Philippines. In the South China Sea, conference rooms and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3343423/can-manilas-south-china-sea-strategy-defiance-and-diplomacy-hold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3343423/can-manilas-south-china-sea-strategy-defiance-and-diplomacy-hold?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 21:30:08 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran Officials from the Philippines-claimed Kalayaan group of islands within the disputed Spratly Islands archipelago plan to expand its civilian population amid a war of words with the Chinese embassy in the country. Local authorities in Kalayaan, which falls under the jurisdiction of Palawan province, were working on plans to grow the population beyond its current outpost on Thitu Island, known locally as Pagasa, and to the six other land masses under its administration, Vice-Mayor Maurice Phillip... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343273/philippines-expand-civilian-population-disputed-spratly-islands-amid-diplomatic-row?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343273/philippines-expand-civilian-population-disputed-spratly-islands-amid-diplomatic-row?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:10:37 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles A leaked letter from the Philippines’ foreign secretary has exposed a fault line in the country over how to publicly confront Beijing in the South China Sea, days before the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) created its own maritime spokesman role. The new position was in addition to existing voices from the Philippine coastguard, armed forces and the National Maritime Council. The episode has cast a spotlight on a delicate balancing act in President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s China policy:... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343226/leaked-letter-exposes-fault-lines-philippines-south-china-sea-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343226/leaked-letter-exposes-fault-lines-philippines-south-china-sea-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:55:45 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran A proposal to update a nearly 50-year-old law requiring individuals to disclose their political activities in the interest of national security has gained steam amid allegations of the rise of “Filipino trolls” espousing pro-Beijing content. Antonio Carpio, a retired Philippine Supreme Court senior associate justice, proposed that the country update its Foreign Agents Act, a 1979 law that requires individuals to register and disclose their political activities to regulate foreign... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3342309/rise-filipino-trolls-spurs-push-legal-fix-amid-chinese-influence-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3342309/rise-filipino-trolls-spurs-push-legal-fix-amid-chinese-influence-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 04:30:38 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles The Philippine military and coastguard have stepped up security around a newly announced natural gas discovery off Palawan, treating the operation as a test case for protecting future offshore energy projects in contested waters, according to officials familiar with the deployment. The expanded patrols cover Malampaya East-1, a fresh gas and condensate find about 5km from the existing Malampaya gas field, the country’s most important domestic energy source, which supplies fuel to power plants on... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3341473/philippines-steps-patrols-around-significant-gas-find-amid-security-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3341473/philippines-steps-patrols-around-significant-gas-find-amid-security-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:00:19 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A ferry with more than 350 people on board sank early Monday morning near an island in the southern Philippines, and rescuers have saved at least 316 passengers and retrieved 18 bodies, according to officials. The MV Trisha Kerstin 3, an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry, was sailing to southern Jolo island in Sulu province from the port city of Zamboanga with 332 passengers and 27 crew members when it apparently encountered technical problems and sank after midnight, coastguard officials... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3341197/philippine-ferry-carrying-over-350-people-sinks-least-15-dead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3341197/philippine-ferry-carrying-over-350-people-sinks-least-15-dead?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 02:18:46 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei More than a dozen Filipino crew members rescued from the South China Sea have been transferred from the Chinese coastguard to Philippine vessels close to where their ship went down. The China Coast Guard said the transfer of the 15 survivors and the remains of two deceased from the capsized cargo ship took place on Sunday afternoon at the request of Philippine search and rescue authorities. Four other crew members from the ship remain missing. The Chinese coastguard rescued the men on Friday... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341168/filipino-crew-head-home-after-china-coast-guard-rescue-near-scarborough-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3341168/filipino-crew-head-home-after-china-coast-guard-rescue-near-scarborough-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 11:32:48 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles French shipbuilder OCEA is looking for a local partner and site in the Philippines to establish its first shipbuilding venture in Asia, under a France-backed patrol boat programme that Philippine Coast Guard leaders say could be a “game changer” for maritime enforcement. The project, which combines local shipbuilding, French-backed financing and technology transfer, is expected to significantly expand the coastguard’s fleet at a time of growing operational demands in Philippine waters. “OCEA …... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340588/philippines-eyes-game-changer-maritime-defence-french-shipbuilding-boost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340588/philippines-eyes-game-changer-maritime-defence-french-shipbuilding-boost?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 03:00:20 +0000 Laura Zhou Laura Zhou China and the Philippines have again exchanged barbs over confrontations in the disputed South China Sea, with each accusing the other of provocation and escalating tensions. The Chinese embassy in the Philippines on Tuesday said a statement the day before by the National Maritime Council – a government body created by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in 2024 to address the nation’s maritime challenges – was “unfounded and misleading”. It accused Manila of “provoking trouble and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339766/south-china-sea-claims-coercion-deception-beijing-and-manila-wage-new-war-words?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3339766/south-china-sea-claims-coercion-deception-beijing-and-manila-wage-new-war-words?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:06:07 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles The Philippines has expressed confidence in countering China’s widening influence in contested waters as its navy presses ahead with expanding its fleet, joint activities with foreign partners and the use of unmanned systems. Analysts say these measures would boost the interoperability of the Philippine military across the sea and air, as the South China Sea dispute continues to dominate its security planning. “We are up to the challenge [posed by] … the People’s Liberation Army Navy, Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3339264/philippine-navy-confident-it-can-navigate-south-china-sea-dispute-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3339264/philippine-navy-confident-it-can-navigate-south-china-sea-dispute-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 04:00:14 +0000 Alan Robles Alan Robles Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has ordered his coastguard to inspect dredging vessels operating in Manila Bay after a US-based maritime monitoring group alleged a Chinese ship had used different identities and flags while working in local waters, a tactic it claimed could skirt Philippine law. On Tuesday, Marcos directed the coastguard to verify the registrations and identities of dredgers – large vessels that excavate and move seabed material – involved in reclamation projects within... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3339087/philippines-investigates-claims-chinese-dredger-using-30-identities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3339087/philippines-investigates-claims-chinese-dredger-using-30-identities?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:08:35 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai Beijing has accused Manila of organising a “premeditated” provocation and dangerous manoeuvres near a disputed reef in the South China Sea, and Washington of making false statements that have escalated tensions in the region. Manila said Philippine fishing boats near Sabina Shoal had been targeted with water cannons by Chinese coastguard ships in an incident on Friday, while Beijing said Philippine personnel had threatened Chinese officers with knives. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3336509/china-accuses-philippines-premeditated-provocations-near-sabina-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3336509/china-accuses-philippines-premeditated-provocations-near-sabina-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:14:14 +0000 Jeoffrey Maitem Jeoffrey Maitem The Philippines has tripled its patrol area in the South China Sea in what analysts describe as a shift in focus from reactive protests to proactive maritime control in response to China’s escalating territorial claims. The expanded missions reflect a move by Manila to close long-standing coordination gaps between military and civilian agencies, particularly after Beijing recently declared a “marine protected area” at Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint in the two countries’ maritime dispute,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331327/philippines-boosts-deterrence-south-china-sea-tripling-its-patrol-area?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331327/philippines-boosts-deterrence-south-china-sea-tripling-its-patrol-area?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:02:07 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran Filipinos have placed higher levels of trust in the coastguard and the armed forces despite public rows between officials and pro-Duterte politicians over the country’s deepening ties with the US, according to the latest poll. Among the 1,200 people surveyed by research firm OCTA in September, 75 per cent expressed satisfaction with the Philippine coastguard’s (PCG) performance over the past three months and 71 per cent said they trusted the outfit. The results, released on October 22, also... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331219/filipinos-rally-behind-coastguard-amid-south-china-sea-tensions-us-alliance-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331219/filipinos-rally-behind-coastguard-amid-south-china-sea-tensions-us-alliance-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Nov 2025 01:30:13 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk A former Philippine lawmaker accused of masterminding a vast public works corruption scheme allegedly tried to move part of his fortune out of reach of investigators by flying his private aircraft abroad. A Gulfstream jet and two helicopters linked to disgraced congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co were sent to Singapore and Malaysia in recent months, just as authorities were preparing to freeze billions of pesos in suspected ill-gotten assets. Philippine aviation regulators say the aircraft cannot... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3331070/philippines-blocks-resale-ex-lawmakers-aircraft-after-jets-traced-singapore-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3331070/philippines-blocks-resale-ex-lawmakers-aircraft-after-jets-traced-singapore-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 09:11:07 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran Officials in the Philippines have hit back at the tirades of lawmaker Paolo Duterte, who accused the country’s armed forces of “gambling with Filipino lives” and called the military chief a “puppet of the CIA”. Observers say the allegations from the son of former president Rodrigo Duterte are aimed at resuscitating old narratives and pro-Beijing talking points to undermine the current administration. On Saturday, the younger Duterte published a statement on social media directed at Armed Forces... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330663/philippines-dutertes-cia-puppet-slur-ignites-fierce-military-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330663/philippines-dutertes-cia-puppet-slur-ignites-fierce-military-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:00:09 +0000 Jeoffrey Maitem Jeoffrey Maitem Manila’s long-time ally, the United States, has launched a training programme aimed at strengthening the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) operational strategies and maritime law enforcement capabilities. The move, however, could deepen dependence on Washington under the guise of civilian capacity-building, according to some observers, who point to a familiar “pattern” inherent in US partnerships. Last week, coastguard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and outgoing US ambassador to the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330175/south-china-sea-why-us-eyeing-philippines-coastguard-3-year-training-plan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330175/south-china-sea-why-us-eyeing-philippines-coastguard-3-year-training-plan?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2025 05:53:36 +0000 Laura Zhou Laura Zhou China has installed a new floating barrier at Scarborough Shoal, according to satellite imagery, as tensions rise between Beijing and Manila over the disputed atoll in the South China Sea. The barrier was seen blocking the entrance to the lagoon at the shoal in the image obtained by Satellogic, a geospatial company headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay. “New satellite imagery shows an illegal floating barrier installed by the People’s Republic of China at the mouth of Scarborough Shoal,” Luke... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3329955/china-deploys-new-floating-barrier-scarborough-shoal-satellite-image-shows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3329955/china-deploys-new-floating-barrier-scarborough-shoal-satellite-image-shows?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:00:09 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang The PLA Navy replenishment ship Qinghaihu was reportedly seen resupplying a China Coast Guard vessel near the disputed Scarborough Shoal last week. The manoeuvre highlights growing coordination between China’s naval and coastguard forces amid heightened tensions with the Philippines in the contested South China Sea. According to a report by Manila-based ABS-CBN news, two Chinese navy warships and four coastguard vessels, as well as several Chinese maritime militia vessels, were monitored by the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329573/pla-navy-tanker-spotted-china-coast-guard-resupply-mission-near-scarborough-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329573/pla-navy-tanker-spotted-china-coast-guard-resupply-mission-near-scarborough-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Oct 2025 01:00:21 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran Manila and Beijing are working on a coastguard cooperation pact as part of efforts to manage recurring flashpoints in the disputed South China Sea, but observers say the step may not be enough to prevent conflict or build lasting trust. Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro told the Senate on Tuesday last week that the proposed plan aimed to “reach a conclusion … an MOU for them [coastguards] on certain issues that involve both sides”. Lazaro said she hoped that the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3329567/philippines-beijing-eye-coastguard-deal-calm-south-china-sea-tensions-will-it-work?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3329567/philippines-beijing-eye-coastguard-deal-calm-south-china-sea-tensions-will-it-work?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:13 +0000 Bloomberg,Associated Press Bloomberg,Associated Press A tropical storm lashed the northern and central Philippines on Sunday, leaving at least seven people dead and forcing more than 22,000 people to evacuate from flood- and landslide-prone villages. Authorities warned that tropical Storm Fengshen may intensify as it heads for China and Vietnam. The government’s disaster-mitigation agency said seven deaths were reported. Nearly 14,000 people who evacuated were still displaced from their homes by Monday morning, the agency said. Known locally as... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3329569/storm-landfall-leaves-1-dead-thousands-evacuate-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3329569/storm-landfall-leaves-1-dead-thousands-evacuate-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:21:09 +0000 Laura Zhou Laura Zhou Tensions in the South China Sea remained high on Friday as China launched military exercises near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, a move coinciding with the final day of a series of joint naval drills between the United States, the Philippines and other nations. The exercise – set to run from noon until 7pm – took place in a limited area in the waters southwest of the disputed shoal – known in China as Huangyan Island. The triangle-shaped formation of reefs and rocks controlled by Beijing and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329400/china-begins-drills-near-scarborough-shoal-final-day-us-philippine-naval-exercises?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3329400/china-begins-drills-near-scarborough-shoal-final-day-us-philippine-naval-exercises?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2025 08:15:28 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen China said it had expelled two Philippine aircraft near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Thursday in the second confrontation between the two rival South China Sea claimants in as many days. Liu Dejun, a spokesman for the Chinese coastguard, said two Philippine reconnaissance aircraft had “illegally entered Chinese air space above Huangyan Island” (the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal). He added that the planes had been expelled in “accordance with laws and regulations”. The previous day the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3329289/china-says-it-expelled-philippine-planes-disputed-south-china-sea-reef?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3329289/china-says-it-expelled-philippine-planes-disputed-south-china-sea-reef?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 13:44:22 +0000 Shi Jiangtao Shi Jiangtao Tensions between China and the Philippines have flared again in the South China Sea following a collision between their vessels near the disputed Thitu Island on Sunday. Both sides have offered conflicting accounts of the event and traded accusations of misconduct and provocation. The China Coast Guard claimed that two Philippine government vessels “illegally intruded” into waters near Tiexian Reef, also known as Sandy Cay, without permission. Despite “repeated stern warnings”, one of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3328704/chinese-and-philippine-coastguards-trade-blame-after-yet-another-south-china-sea-collision?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3328704/chinese-and-philippine-coastguards-trade-blame-after-yet-another-south-china-sea-collision?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 11:01:29 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim China’s coastguards said they were ready to uphold the country’s sovereignty in the disputed Scarborough Shoal, in a message broadcast by state broadcaster CCTV on National Day. The country has a long-running dispute with the Philippines over the reef and other areas of the South China Sea, and Wednesday’s report said the coastguards had resumed “regular patrols” in the area for the next 50 days. Coastguard officer Chen Zhijie told CCTV that protecting the disputed island was his “sacred duty... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3327509/chinese-coastguards-say-protecting-disputed-scarborough-shoal-sacred-mission?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3327509/chinese-coastguards-say-protecting-disputed-scarborough-shoal-sacred-mission?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:30:07 +0000 Alan Robles Alan Robles As the Philippines’ coastguard struggles to patrol vast, contested waters with a handful of ageing planes and helicopters, a single politician’s larger private fleet has become a lightning rod for public anger over corruption and the chronic underfunding of the country’s defence forces. At the heart of the scandal is Zaldy Co, who until January chaired the powerful House Appropriations Committee – a position that granted him sweeping powers over the national budget. The discovery of six... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3327475/philippine-coastguard-finds-itself-outmatched-politicians-private-air-fleet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3327475/philippine-coastguard-finds-itself-outmatched-politicians-private-air-fleet?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 05:16:45 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang Beijing and Manila struck a rare conciliatory tone on Thursday, downplaying tensions in the disputed South China Sea during a farewell meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and outgoing Chinese envoy Huang Xilian. The South China Sea issues “are not the sum total” of relations between the two neighbours, Marcos told Huang, according to a statement from the Philippine leader’s communications office. “Let us not allow these differences to define our relationship,” Marcos said,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3326945/south-china-sea-tensions-downplayed-manila-warmly-farewells-beijing-envoy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3326945/south-china-sea-tensions-downplayed-manila-warmly-farewells-beijing-envoy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 05:41:55 +0000 Lucio Blanco Pitlo III Lucio Blanco Pitlo III China’s plan to designate the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea as a national marine nature reserve has drawn strong objections from the Philippines. The timing of the move hints at Beijing’s growing discontent with its neighbour’s policies, notably Manila’s move to normalise the presence of foreign navies in the region and its warming ties with Taiwan. To many, China’s latest ploy is a fresh attempt to change the facts on the ground, using environmental rhetoric to consolidate... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3326166/will-chinas-marine-reserve-gambit-push-philippines-breaking-point?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3326166/will-chinas-marine-reserve-gambit-push-philippines-breaking-point?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Sep 2025 06:00:22 +0000 Jeoffrey Maitem Jeoffrey Maitem A US proposal to train Filipino fishermen as informants, tasked with reporting illegal fishing and environmental degradation by foreign vessels, has triggered concern that civilians could be thrust into the front lines of the South China Sea dispute. Jonathan Fritz, US principal deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, outlined the initiative during a round-table discussion at the US embassy in Manila on Thursday. Despite Washington’s recent overhaul of its foreign... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3325008/us-plan-use-filipino-fishermen-informants-raises-south-china-sea-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3325008/us-plan-use-filipino-fishermen-informants-raises-south-china-sea-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Sep 2025 08:30:14 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles The Philippines has warned China that any attempt to board or tow away its grounded warship at the Second Thomas Shoal would be crossing a “red line” after Manila detected a sharp rise in Chinese maritime activity around the disputed feature in the South China Sea. Philippine Navy Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesman for West Philippine Sea operations, told reporters on Tuesday that the military was closely monitoring a surge in Chinese maritime activity near the shoal, including the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323393/philippines-warns-china-not-cross-red-line-over-grounded-warship-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323393/philippines-warns-china-not-cross-red-line-over-grounded-warship-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:55:40 +0000 Jeoffrey Maitem Jeoffrey Maitem A Philippine senator has raised fears of foreign influence over key institutions after the arrest of businessman Joseph Sy, who is accused of obtaining citizenship in the Philippines fraudulently and compromising national security due to his honorary role in the country’s coastguard. Sy, also known by his Chinese name Chen Zhong Zhen and chairman of mining firm Global Ferronickel Holdings, was detained by immigration authorities at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Thursday after... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323184/alice-guo-part-2-arrest-joseph-sy-philippines-rekindles-security-fears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323184/alice-guo-part-2-arrest-joseph-sy-philippines-rekindles-security-fears?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2025 08:16:53 +0000 Laura Zhou Laura Zhou China says it has taken “control measures” against two Philippine vessels near the Sierra Madre, a warship grounded on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, as tensions re-emerge in the contested waters of the South China Sea. In a short statement on Friday morning, China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu accused the two Philippine ships deployed from the Sierra Madre of “deliberately engaging in provocative collisions” when approaching a Chinese coastguard vessel. He did not specify when the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3322763/south-china-sea-beijing-asserts-control-measures-against-philippine-ships-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3322763/south-china-sea-beijing-asserts-control-measures-against-philippine-ships-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 05:51:21 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles Maritime tensions between the Philippines and China have entered what analysts describe as a risky and potentially volatile phase after an accidental collision between two Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal, one of the most contested features in the South China Sea. The rare mishap involving the vessels from the Chinese coastguard and navy during a high-speed chase of a Philippine coastguard ship has raised the risk of Beijing adopting a more aggressive posture as it seeks to save face,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322558/philippines-assures-china-restraint-after-ship-clashes-will-tensions-ease?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322558/philippines-assures-china-restraint-after-ship-clashes-will-tensions-ease?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:15:09 +0000 Jeoffrey Maitem Jeoffrey Maitem The Philippine government has reported a marked increase in Chinese maritime activity near Scarborough Shoal, intensifying a stand-off over the disputed South China Sea atoll. Officials in Manila have characterised the build-up as an attempt by Beijing to reassert control after two Chinese ships collided last week during a chase involving a Philippine vessel. On Sunday, the National Maritime Council cited the Philippine Navy’s latest assessment, reporting that as of Thursday, seven Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322361/philippines-reports-chinese-ship-surge-scarborough-shoal-after-embarrassing-collision?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322361/philippines-reports-chinese-ship-surge-scarborough-shoal-after-embarrassing-collision?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:00:32 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang Beijing on Friday issued its first direct comment on a reported collision in the South China Sea earlier this week, with its defence ministry strongly condemning the Philippine coastguard for “dangerous manoeuvring”. The Philippine vessels “severely jeopardised the safety of Chinese ship personnel”, ministry spokesman Jiang Bin said, referring to the confrontation near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Monday. Several Philippine coastguard vessels and government ships had “illegally entered... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3322037/first-comment-south-china-sea-crash-beijing-slams-dangerous-moves-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3322037/first-comment-south-china-sea-crash-beijing-slams-dangerous-moves-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Aug 2025 11:43:06 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen China has extended its maritime presence to rarely patrolled waters, with two Chinese coastguard vessels spotted near the northernmost province of the Philippines last week, close to Taiwan. The Philippine Navy on Monday said the Chinese ships were seen “meandering” in waters off Batanes on August 7, Philippine media reported. Batanes is an archipelago located closer to southern Taiwan than to Manila and sits within the Bashi Channel – a critical maritime chokepoint that would have strategic... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321943/beijing-seeks-deter-it-expands-presence-waters-near-philippines-and-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321943/beijing-seeks-deter-it-expands-presence-waters-near-philippines-and-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Aug 2025 10:00:12 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen A Chinese fighter jet allegedly flew close to a Philippine coastguard aircraft near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday morning, while US and PLA naval vessels operated close by amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. According to the Philippine state-run broadcaster People’s Television Network (PTV), a Cessna Caravan operated by the coastguard was performing a “maritime domain awareness flight” when the alleged incident occurred, involving what appeared to be an Su-30. On-board... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3321879/chinese-jet-accused-dangerous-moves-near-south-china-seas-scarborough-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3321879/chinese-jet-accused-dangerous-moves-near-south-china-seas-scarborough-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Aug 2025 11:00:14 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles The Armed Forces of the Philippines has slammed as “fabricated” a video about an alleged stand-off with the Royal Malaysian Navy over contested Sabah waters and fishing rights. Manila’s navy confirmed it had sent a guided missile frigate, the BRP General Antonio Luna, to Malaysia for a long-planned joint military exercise. On Twitter and Facebook, the armed forces late on Tuesday said a circulating 12-minute YouTube video entitled “Philippines vs. Malaysia: Tensions Rise over Sabah and the South... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3321754/philippine-military-slams-fabricated-video-stand-malaysian-navy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3321754/philippine-military-slams-fabricated-video-stand-malaysian-navy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Aug 2025 11:41:11 +0000 Zhao Ziwen Zhao Ziwen More tension is expected in the South China Sea following a collision between two Chinese vessels, with analysts predicting the incident was likely to prompt Beijing to further increase its presence in the contested waterway. Experts also warned that the incident could push China to enhance coordination between its navy and coastguard to prevent similar accidents in future. On Monday, Manila claimed that a China Coast Guard vessel sustained severe damage to its bow after colliding with a larger... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321617/collision-between-chinese-ships-expected-escalate-tension-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321617/collision-between-chinese-ships-expected-escalate-tension-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Aug 2025 02:00:16 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles The Philippines on Tuesday criticised China’s “reckless behaviour” after two Chinese ships rammed into each other following their high-speed chase targeting a Philippine coastguard (PCG) vessel and urged Beijing to respect international maritime rules. In a social media post, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Philippines had consistently called on the Chinese government to respect the Colregs. He was referring to the International Regulations for... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3321628/philippines-slams-reckless-chinese-ships-over-collision-scarborough-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3321628/philippines-slams-reckless-chinese-ships-over-collision-scarborough-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:52:28 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen China’s coastguard said Monday that it took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from a contested feature in the South China Sea, while Manila claimed two Chinese vessels collided during the operation, leaving one heavily damaged. Chinese coastguard spokesman Gan Yu said in a statement that the Chinese coastguard forced several Philippine coastguard and government vessels away from waters near Scarborough Shoal after they “ignored repeated warnings from the Chinese side and insistently... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321473/chinese-ships-collide-during-clash-philippine-vessel-contested-scarborough-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321473/chinese-ships-collide-during-clash-philippine-vessel-contested-scarborough-shoal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Aug 2025 11:19:16 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang The Philippines does not want to go to war but will never order its vessels to withdraw from contested areas, the country’s president said following yet another coastguard encounter with China near Scarborough Shoal. Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said on Monday that he was also perplexed about a Chinese foreign ministry warning that he was “playing with fire” after he suggested last week during a visit to India that his country would “have to get involved” if a conflict between Beijing and Washington... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321457/philippines-doesnt-want-war-perplexed-marcos-jnr-says-after-china-warning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3321457/philippines-doesnt-want-war-perplexed-marcos-jnr-says-after-china-warning?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Aug 2025 09:00:12 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles A documentary film that Beijing sought to have banned chronicling the hazardous everyday lives of Filipino fishermen and soldiers in the South China Sea is set to open in cinemas in the Philippines this Wednesday. Food Delivery by director Baby Ruth Villarama was denounced last month for being “rife with disinformation and false propaganda” by the Chinese consulate-general in Auckland, which called for a New Zealand festival not to screen the film, calling it a “political tool” for the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3321433/filipino-film-beijing-condemned-brings-south-china-sea-struggles-big-screen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3321433/filipino-film-beijing-condemned-brings-south-china-sea-struggles-big-screen?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Aug 2025 08:00:08 +0000 Jeoffrey Maitem Jeoffrey Maitem A Chinese state media broadcast, claiming to show its coastguard towing a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea, has triggered a fresh diplomatic rift between Beijing and Manila, with Philippine authorities dismissing the footage as “fake news” and accusing China of recycling video from past confrontations to manipulate public opinion. The controversy has renewed scrutiny of Beijing’s information strategy in one of the world’s most contested maritime regions. Analysts caution that while such... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3320794/philippines-rejects-chinese-fake-news-broadcast-south-china-sea-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3320794/philippines-rejects-chinese-fake-news-broadcast-south-china-sea-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 08:00:13 +0000 Enoch Wong Enoch Wong China’s Type 815A spy ships have become pivotal to People’s Liberation Army naval operations and intelligence gathering, with recent incidents underscoring the vessels’ crucial role in Beijing’s maritime surveillance and power projection. On July 12, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported the interception of the Type 815A electronic surveillance ship Tianwangxing (hull number 793) operating about 69 nautical miles (128km) off the western Philippines, within Manila’s exclusive economic... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3317443/seas-space-chinas-type-815a-spy-ships-are-keeping-pla-navy-informed-and-ready?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3317443/seas-space-chinas-type-815a-spy-ships-are-keeping-pla-navy-informed-and-ready?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Jul 2025 01:00:08 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The Philippines has publicly accused a Chinese vessel of causing more than 11 million pesos (US$194,000) in damage to protected coral reefs near Thitu Island in the South China Sea. On Monday, Manila released the results of an environmental survey showing that a Chinese ship had ran aground near Thitu Island in June. Investigators found that the vessel dragged a parachute anchor across the sensitive marine ecosystem, scarring at least 464 square metres (4,994 square feet) of reef less than 3km... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3318475/philippines-weighs-legal-action-against-china-over-us194000-coral-reef-damage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3318475/philippines-weighs-legal-action-against-china-over-us194000-coral-reef-damage?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:10 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran As the Asia-Pacific’s power dynamics continue to evolve and shift, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to China promises to be a test of his country’s ability to walk the fine line between economic self-interest and strategic resolve. His trip, which began on Saturday, unfolds against the backdrop of Australia’s deepening security ties with the Philippines, with Canberra stepping up support for Manila’s maritime capabilities and increasing participation in patrols and joint... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3317926/australia-juggles-its-china-trade-needs-philippines-defence-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3317926/australia-juggles-its-china-trade-needs-philippines-defence-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:58 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles Three sacks weighted with sandbags recovered from the depths of a Philippine volcanic crater lake have added a dramatic new twist to the chilling case of at least 34 missing cock fighters, bolstering claims by a whistle-blower that the killings were orchestrated by a gambling tycoon with powerful political and police connections. The first sack, pulled from the murky waters of Taal Lake on Thursday, contained charred bones, according to the Department of Justice. Forensic tests have yet to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3317943/philippine-cock-fighters-deaths-duterte-drug-war-sack-bones-mark-mounting-mystery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3317943/philippine-cock-fighters-deaths-duterte-drug-war-sack-bones-mark-mounting-mystery?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Jul 2025 07:00:08 +0000