https://www.scmp.com/rss/524405/feed Gilberto Teodoro Jnr is a seasoned Filipino politician, lawyer, and business executive. He currently serves as the nation’s Defence Secretary, a role he previously held from 2007 to 2009, becoming the youngest appointee at the time. His career includes three terms as a Member of Congress, where he authored numerous bills. He also chaired the National Disaster Coordinating Council, demonstrating expertise in disaster risk management. Teodoro’s work highlights a focus on defence reform, military... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The Philippines is seeking broader defence cooperation with Nato’s European members, even as US President Donald Trump remains critical of the transatlantic security alliance’s lack of involvement over the Middle East war. While some observers say the move dovetails with the long-standing security partnership between the Philippines and the United States, Nato’s dominant member, others argue that Manila could face a “strategic dilemma” if its ties with the 32-member alliance are contrary to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3348203/why-philippines-may-face-strategic-dilemma-over-nato-partnership-us-demands?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3348203/why-philippines-may-face-strategic-dilemma-over-nato-partnership-us-demands?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:29:06 +0000 Jeoffrey Maitem Jeoffrey Maitem As war rages in the Middle East thousands of miles from the Philippines, a senior military official has urged Manila to reflect on its own vulnerabilities, stressing that military modernisation should not be mere “lip service”. Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr earlier this week called on the country to strengthen its air defences, particularly systems capable of intercepting missiles from hostile states, stressing that Manila should ensure its security suppliers meet demand in the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3347163/philippines-urged-seriously-address-defence-gaps-counter-aerial-threats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3347163/philippines-urged-seriously-address-defence-gaps-counter-aerial-threats?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:17:00 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang The US has established a new army foothold in the Philippines with a rotational deployment designed to sustain the Typhon missile system and contain China, according to military analysts. The US Army has commenced rotational deployments in the Philippines, according to a post published on January 29 on the Defence Visual Information Distribution Service, the US military’s image and video hosting website. The photographs showed exchanges on January 12 between the Army Rotational Force-Philippines... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3343214/us-armys-new-presence-philippines-and-push-contain-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3343214/us-armys-new-presence-philippines-and-push-contain-china?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 04:00:08 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles A visiting forces military deal to be signed between the Philippines and France has put the focus on “operational intimacy”, with observers noting that Paris has a presence in the Indo-Pacific and would serve Manila’s interests well in the contested waters of the South China Sea. The term was coined by French Ambassador to Manila Marie Fontanel, during a freewheeling discussion on Tuesday at her residence. In a bid to balance the implications of the alliance – a first for the Philippines with a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340187/philippines-france-near-defence-pact-boost-operational-intimacy-contested-waters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340187/philippines-france-near-defence-pact-boost-operational-intimacy-contested-waters?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:38:13 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran South Korea’s growing role as a key arms supplier to the Philippines has taken another step forward, with Hanwha Systems set to provide the “brain” that will run two of the Philippine Navy’s next-generation warships. The South Korean defence manufacturer said on Wednesday that it had secured a US$27.7 million contract to supply combat management systems (CMS) and tactical data links for two 3,200-tonne frigates being built for the Philippine Navy. A CMS integrates a warship’s sensors, weapons... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3338489/hanwha-combat-systems-deal-deepens-south-koreas-role-philippine-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3338489/hanwha-combat-systems-deal-deepens-south-koreas-role-philippine-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:00:11 +0000 Jeoffrey Maitem Jeoffrey Maitem The Philippine Army has rolled out a locally developed remote weapons system that officials said would boost troop protection while advancing Manila’s push to build a self-reliant defence industry amid limited manpower and resources. The Controller Operated Battle-Ready Armament (Cobra) was formally turned over to the Department of National Defence on Thursday at the Army Armour Division headquarters in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, following two years of development led by the Department of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3336746/why-philippine-army-turning-locally-built-remote-weapons-systems?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3336746/why-philippine-army-turning-locally-built-remote-weapons-systems?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:00:13 +0000 Frances Mangosing Frances Mangosing The Philippines and Germany have entered a new chapter in their bilateral relations this year, placing special emphasis on tightening security and defence ties. In May, Manila and Berlin committed themselves to advancing their security partnership by signing an agreement on defence cooperation. The deal increases collaboration between their military and defence establishments in logistics, cybersecurity, defensive weaponry and UN peacekeeping. It builds on a 1974 agreement that enabled the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3336267/new-philippines-germany-defence-pact-built-last?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3336267/new-philippines-germany-defence-pact-built-last?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Dec 2025 02:30:10 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles Allegations that a small group of retired generals is trying to push the Philippines military to abandon President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr have intensified concerns about how susceptible the armed forces are to political pressure and extra-constitutional manoeuvres. Observers told This Week in Asia the retired officers appear to be drawing inspiration from the 2001 “EDSA Dos” uprising – when mass protests and a unified military command helped force President Joseph Estrada from office – but argued... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3335346/philippines-vulnerable-another-military-triggered-political-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3335346/philippines-vulnerable-another-military-triggered-political-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:00:14 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg The Philippines deferred the awarding of a project that is part of a plan to build one of the world’s longest marine bridges after local opposition over the potential involvement of a Chinese company due to national security fears. The proposals were “undergoing thorough review” by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which acts as a lender and an overseer of the project to ensure it meets international environmental and governance standards, Manila’s public works department said in a statement on... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3334941/philippines-delays-manila-bay-bridge-project-amid-china-security-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3334941/philippines-delays-manila-bay-bridge-project-amid-china-security-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:20:42 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles The Philippine military has confirmed that plots to oust President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr were “not far-fetched”, but downplayed fears of a coup led by troops and said there was “no junta” forming within its ranks. “There is no such thing as a military junta within the [Armed Forces of the Philippines],” military spokeswoman Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said on Tuesday. Her comments come amid rising public anger over a corruption scandal linked to flood-control infrastructure amounting to 100... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3334133/philippine-military-says-no-junta-its-ranks-warns-against-destabilisation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3334133/philippine-military-says-no-junta-its-ranks-warns-against-destabilisation?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:53:15 +0000 Zhao Ziwen Zhao Ziwen A new defence pact between Tokyo and Manila allows the Japanese military to deploy in the Philippines for the first time since World War II – with the goal of deterring Beijing in the South China Sea. Analysts said the “quasi-security alliance” – which took effect in September and is known as a reciprocal access agreement – could harden Manila’s stance in the contested waters, and that other US allies in the region could follow suit. Ding Duo, an associate research fellow at the National... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3332807/how-japan-philippines-defence-pact-could-become-template-deter-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3332807/how-japan-philippines-defence-pact-could-become-template-deter-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Nov 2025 04:00:09 +0000 Richard Heydarian Richard Heydarian The Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur witnessed major geopolitical developments, including a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia presided over by US President Donald Trump. Eager to mend recently strained relations with Washington, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, chairman of the regional body this year, also signed a new trade deal with the United States. However, one of the most crucial meetings took place on the sidelines of the summit. Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, met his... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3332345/why-china-need-not-fear-us-led-squad-evolving-asian-nato?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3332345/why-china-need-not-fear-us-led-squad-evolving-asian-nato?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 12:30:08 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran As it prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship, the Philippines’ courting of the bloc’s newest member, East Timor, signals its intent to secure a new ally in promoting maritime security among the 11-strong grouping of nations. But analysts suggest the budding partnership is more symbolic than strategic, with the Philippines playing more of a mentor role to the newcomer. On the sidelines of a meeting of defence chiefs following the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur on... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3332130/philippines-charts-new-course-asean-courting-east-timor-south-china-sea-ally?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3332130/philippines-charts-new-course-asean-courting-east-timor-south-china-sea-ally?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Nov 2025 01:29:04 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles It was a fleeting handshake, but one that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr made sure was caught on camera. On November 1, Marcos approached Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Apec handover ceremony in Gyeongju, South Korea, to offer his congratulations as Beijing assumed the trade bloc’s 2026 chairmanship. A Filipino photographer was on hand to capture the moment with a picture Marcos later shared on social media. “I congratulated President Xi,” Marcos wrote in the accompanying post.... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331976/philippines-no-1-asean-chair-priority-south-china-sea-code-then-visit-xi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331976/philippines-no-1-asean-chair-priority-south-china-sea-code-then-visit-xi?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Nov 2025 00:00:24 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The United States and the Philippines have launched a new military task force designed to expand joint operational planning and coordination – a move analysts say underscores both countries’ determination to strengthen deterrence against Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. While the initiative formalises years of expanding defence ties, observers view it as a turning point in how Washington and Manila intend to manage maritime tensions – shifting from symbolic shows of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331404/south-china-sea-does-new-us-philippine-task-force-mark-turning-point-allies-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331404/south-china-sea-does-new-us-philippine-task-force-mark-turning-point-allies-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Nov 2025 02:30:09 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran Sweden has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing security cooperation with the Philippines, adding to a growing list of European countries seeking defence ties with Manila amid concern over growing Chinese assertiveness in the region. Analysts say the move reflects a fundamental shift in the regional power balance, marked by a “changed China” and the practical necessity for Europe to secure vital trade routes in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. The latest diplomatic push came after... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3331191/south-china-sea-what-does-europe-see-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3331191/south-china-sea-what-does-europe-see-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Nov 2025 05:30:11 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The Philippines and Canada are set to sign a visiting forces agreement permitting joint drills and troop deployments on each other’s soil amid China’s expanding regional influence. Canadian Minister of National Defence David McGuinty will be in Manila on Sunday to hold bilateral meetings with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr and sign the agreement, according to an advisory released by the Philippine Department of National Defence on Wednesday. The signing of the agreement... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331029/canada-philippines-deepen-military-ties-new-joint-forces-pact-amid-china-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331029/canada-philippines-deepen-military-ties-new-joint-forces-pact-amid-china-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 06:09:29 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles The Philippine military has launched an unusually aggressive pushback against what it describes as a growing campaign to destabilise its personnel and ultimately unseat President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Army and navy officials have warned that disinformation campaigns, rogue recruitment drives and seditious messaging – often amplified on social media – pose a growing threat to military cohesion. The crackdown comes amid fears of a reprise of coup plots that rocked the country in previous... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330232/philippines-hits-hard-against-campaign-recruit-military-and-destabilise-state?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330232/philippines-hits-hard-against-campaign-recruit-military-and-destabilise-state?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:56:53 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles The Philippine military is now 3D-printing drones in preparation for future warfare and strengthening foreign partnerships, with Manila recently being recognised by Indo-Pacific defence ministers as a “frontliner” in keeping the region “free and open”. Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff General Romeo Brawner Jnr told the Foreign Correspondents Association on Friday that the 3D initiative had been in place since last year, acknowledging it was still not on a large or sophisticated scale as the objective... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3327843/philippines-steps-future-warfare-defence-3d-printed-drones-stronger-alliances?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3327843/philippines-steps-future-warfare-defence-3d-printed-drones-stronger-alliances?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 13:31:17 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran Japanese troops are set to return to Philippine soil for the first time since World War II after a landmark defence pact took effect this month, in a move analysts say will fast track joint military readiness and entrench Tokyo’s role as a key Indo-Pacific security partner. The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Japan and the Philippines entered into force on September 11, over a year after Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3326513/japan-philippines-defence-pact-comes-force-amid-china-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3326513/japan-philippines-defence-pact-comes-force-amid-china-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Sep 2025 07:27:21 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles Coup rumours swirled in the Philippine capital over the weekend, with the military placed on “red alert” and all leave for its personnel cancelled, ahead of planned protests against corruption in state-funded flood control projects. Sources close to and within the military confirmed to This Week in Asia that certain private individuals, former generals and groups were trying to persuade active-duty officers to withdraw their support for Commander-in-Chief and President Ferdinand Marcos... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3325600/philippine-military-red-alert-coup-rumours-swirl-anti-corruption-protests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3325600/philippine-military-red-alert-coup-rumours-swirl-anti-corruption-protests?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:01:37 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The Philippine defence and military chiefs rejected a call for the country’s armed forces to withdraw support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in response to public outrage over allegations of massive corruption in flood control projects that have implicated several congressmen and public works officials and sparked pockets of street protests. Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr and military chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jnr issued a joint statement late on Friday expressing their... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3325425/philippine-defence-military-chiefs-slam-call-dump-marcos-over-flood-control-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3325425/philippine-defence-military-chiefs-slam-call-dump-marcos-over-flood-control-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2025 06:26:53 +0000 Vanessa Cai Vanessa Cai Beijing has accused the Philippines of “causing trouble” in the South China Sea while also suggesting the United States was to blame for fuelling tensions. On Thursday, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for the Chinese defence ministry, criticised joint drills by the Philippines and Australia. “[Manila] has repeatedly courted influence from outside powers to make waves in this area, playing the role of an ass in a lion’s skin,” Zhang said, using a Chinese idiom to accuse it of “jeopardising regional... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3323535/beijing-says-philippines-courts-outside-powers-and-causes-trouble-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3323535/beijing-says-philippines-courts-outside-powers-and-causes-trouble-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Aug 2025 12:18:52 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles Australia and the Philippines’ push to finalise an “enhanced defence cooperation” agreement by next year underscores how regional allies are accelerating security coordination in response to China’s growing assertiveness in contested waters, a shift analysts say could reshape strategic dynamics in the South China Sea. The talks were announced during a Friday press conference in Manila, where Australian Deputy Prime Minister and defence chief Richard Marles and Philippine Defence Secretary... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323161/australia-philippines-forge-defence-pact-counter-beijings-south-china-sea-dominance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323161/australia-philippines-forge-defence-pact-counter-beijings-south-china-sea-dominance?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2025 06:09:01 +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 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles A new ammunition manufacturing hub in the Philippines, funded by the United States and intended for joint use by American and Filipino forces, has already been quietly approved, President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr revealed during a visit to Washington this week. The Philippine leader told reporters after his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House that the plan for the facility had been agreed upon “almost a year ago”. Marcos added that the move aligned with Manila’s long-standing... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3319551/us-philippines-confirm-munitions-hub-subic-bay-trump-vows-well-have-everything?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3319551/us-philippines-confirm-munitions-hub-subic-bay-trump-vows-well-have-everything?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jul 2025 06:00:10 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles The Philippines must acquire more advanced fighter jets – and soon – to build a “niche air force” capable of credible deterrence against Chinese intrusions, its air force chief has said, as Manila weighs whether to pursue US-made F-16s or Sweden’s Gripen. Manila last month signed a US$700 million deal to acquire 12 additional FA-50 light combat aircraft from South Korea, expanding the Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s fleet to 24 by the end of the decade. These upgraded models will come with enhanced... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3316547/philippines-eyes-multirole-fighter-jets-credible-deterrence-against-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3316547/philippines-eyes-multirole-fighter-jets-credible-deterrence-against-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Jul 2025 12:56:35 +0000