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Jeoffrey Maitem
This year’s Kamandag exercise involves troops from the Philippines, the US, Japan, Australia, the UK and South Korea, along with observers.
Such views are driven by concerns over the South China Sea dispute and pro-China candidates undermining national security, an analyst says.
Beijing is wary as Manila can enhance its external defence with the Typhon to counter increasing Chinese assertiveness, analysts say.
Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit, the first by a South Korean president since 2011, came as the nations upgraded ties to a strategic partnership.
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Analysts say an amended law will strengthen detection and prosecution capabilities in peacetime, but politics could be a roadblock.
Philippine officials called the missile boats’ presence at Half Moon Shoal illegal, as analysts warned it could be turned into an airbase.
Japanese official urges regional cooperation to deter further conflict, as analysts warn China may use developments to justify military build-up.
Philippine Defence Chief Gilberto Teodoro Jnr says China should not interfere with Manila’s plan to boost its ‘credible deterrence’.
China has called for the Typhon’s removal from the Philippines as it sees the system as a threat in the region, analysts say.
While analysts believe the Philippines could win a vote, they warn of potential retaliation from China, similar to past trade embargoes.
Taking up an offer from the US to escort its resupply missions is one of the Philippines’ potential ‘contingency plans’, analysts say.
The move to secure Australia’s strategic interests is likely to earn China’s ire and increase the potential for sanctions, analysts say.
Defence analysts fear that the BRP Teresa Magbanua’s withdrawal could embolden China, which already has a significant presence in the area.
Manila faces a critical decision: exploit its natural gas reserves in the Reed Bank, a potential flashpoint with China, or risk losing them to Beijing.
While Poland’s stance could anger China, it arose from its history of territorial losses to stronger states, analysts say.
Philippine military officials have vowed to protect the BRP Teresa Magbanua, a key asset in the South China Sea stand-off at Sabina Shoal.
The escalating conflict raises urgent questions about Manila’s long-term strategy and approach to safeguarding its territorial rights.
As clashes in the South China Sea intensify, Manila’s shift towards local shipbuilding is seen as essential for countering Beijing’s growing maritime influence.
China is against the deployment of the Typhon in the Philippines, which has been used in joint military exercises involving US troops.
Analysts warn the Philippines faces becoming collateral damage in a potential nuclear showdown between the US and China-Russia-North Korea.
A fishermen’s association says its members have been unable to get closer to the shoal since Beijing’s anti-trespassing regulation on June 15.
The military says it is working to boost coordination with US, and has raised staff salaries and strengthened training on cybersecurity threats.
A wider agreement beyond that of covering resupply missions at the Second Thomas Shoal is too optimistic a goal for Manila, observers warn.
Zhang ‘Steve’ Song has been identified by Philippine intelligence as an agent of China’s Ministry of State Security, a Rappler report said.
A confrontation between the two countries’ air forces has raised concerns that Beijing may use its aggressive maritime tactics in the sky.
The drill involving the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System was partly based on a potential South China Sea conflict, analysts say.
Observers believe the Philippines has limited military options to dislodge Chinese bases built on reclaimed land in their maritime territory.
Analysts note shoal’s location ideal for projection of power and call for Manila to strengthen presence in disputed area to counter China.
Once the site of Washington’s largest overseas naval base, a recent visit by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has sparked speculation.
The funding will boost not only Manila’s military assets but also its training and diplomatic initiatives, analysts say.
