More than 11,000 soldiers from the Philippines, U.S. and Australia began joint drills in the South China Sea, as the Philippines’ military chief called China’s building work on disputed reefs “worrisome” and a source of friction with its neighbours. The… Read More ›

Albert del Rosario
Philippines says U.S. obligated to help in case of attack by China
The United States has a treaty obligation to help the Philippines in case of an attack on its territory or armed forces in the South China Sea, the Philippine foreign minister said on Wednesday, rejecting questioning of a security pact…. Read More ›
Philippines expects early U.N. ruling on sea dispute with China
The Philippines expects an early ruling from the United Nations’ tribunal on its arbitration case questioning China’s claim on the South China Sea, Manila‘s foreign minister said on Thursday, in the first public announcement of hopes for a swift outcome…. Read More ›
Philippines must stand up against China with help of international law and ASEAN
I refer to Amado Doronila’s analysis Deal with China? Winner takes all, in the Philippines Daily Inquirer of August 5. As Doronila reported: “The Philippines’ second warship acquired from the United States, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, arrived on Sunday at… Read More ›
Philippines seeks U.N. help to resolve maritime row with China
The Philippines has asked an international tribunal to intervene in its long-standing South China Sea territorial dispute with China and declare that Beijing’s claims are invalid, the government said on Tuesday. Manila asked the tribunal of the U.N. Convention on… Read More ›
China angers neighbours with sea claims on new passports
The Philippines and Vietnam condemned Chinese passports containing a map of China‘s disputed maritime claims on Thursday, branding the new design a violation of their sovereignty. The map means countries disputing the Chinese claims will have to stamp microchip-equipped passports… Read More ›
Philippines will respond to China ships
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Wednesday said the Philippine government may have to respond to the continued stay of Chinese ships in the waters of the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Del Rosario, in… Read More ›
Top diplomat’s China visit enabled by ambassador’s stroke
Singtao Daily reports: The Philippine ambassador to China’s recent stroke provided Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario with the opportunity to make an informal visit to China and meet Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. It was his first visit… Read More ›
Bullyism: The new face of imperialism (China’s invocation of its so-called historical right)
I am writing once again to highlight to the international community and to the family of nations China’s aggressive imperialist design, to point out its continuous and hilarious invocation of its so-called historical right over the islands, shoals and islets… Read More ›
U.S. triples military aid to Philippines in 2012
The United States will nearly triple its military funding for the Philippines this year, the Philippine foreign ministry said on Thursday, as tensions rise with China over disputed islands and Washington bolsters its alliance with Manila. However, the Philippines expressed… Read More ›