The Philippines has deployed a patrol ship to deter Chinese activities in an area near the Sabina Shoal after it found crushed reefs.

Atin Ito civilian-led supply mission to assert Philippine rights expected to be met by China’s ‘huge force to blockade Scarborough Shoal’: former US Air Force official.

Announcement from the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command comes a day after the end of annual US-Philippine Balikatan drills in the area.

The armed forces’ modernisation, spurred by maritime skirmishes with China, has seen it acquire military assets and revamp its defence strategy.

There has been ‘small-scale reclamation’ of the Sabina Shoal and China is ‘the most probable actor’, says a spokesman for the Philippine coastguard.

China told Asean officials that the weapons system, which can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles, is a serious threat to regional security and stability,

Taiwan’s authorities may have limited options in enforcing rules, with tougher action potentially escalating into unintended cross-strait conflict, say analysts.

Philippine authorities have defended Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos but critics continue to doubt him in light of his 2008 attendance at China’s Naval Command College.

War of words over disputed Second Thomas Shoal goes up a notch as purported transcript of resupply deal prompts call for Chinese diplomats to be expelled.

Singapore’s unwavering stance that is neither “pro-China” nor “pro-US” is a way of insulating itself from internal and external pressures, analysts say.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said the Chinese embassy’s actions ‘should not be allowed to pass unsanctioned without serious penalty’.

Move comes with both countries locked in an escalating war of words over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, as well as national security fears in Cagayan province.

Manuel Mamba said Chinese minister Sun Weidong conveyed the warning to him in a meeting last year in Beijing.

China’s lower level military authorities could be ‘overzealous’ because they believe Beijing desired an aggressive response, possibly resulting in the skirmish.

Maritime assessment in March shows coral reefs on Pag-asa Island severely degraded, with debris around the area indicating the damage is man-made.

China feels the Philippines has broken its word and badly damaged political trust, observer says.

The concerns come as a US delegation in Kuala Lumpur holds talks with officials over Tehran’s alleged underhanded selling of oil through service providers.

Economic Planning Secretary Balisacan said there was no attempt to sideline Chinese investors even as the two nations increasingly engaged in diplomatic stand-offs.

Military commanders also suggest recorded material, played to selected media, was fabricated.

Emerging alliance expected to undertake more maritime exercises and provide greater security help to the Philippines in its South China Sea claims.

The proposed energy facilities could be used to power military bases on the Chinese-built artificial islands, Philippine official says.

Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos has no mandate to strike a deal with China, who may have been attempting to shift the blame to Manila, analysts say.

An island-retaking exercise in the far north of the Philippines appears to be in preparation for hostilities breaking out over Taiwan, observers say.

Manila’s ability to police its waters is determined by maritime capacity, not political will, so more investment in the navy is required, an analyst says.