Michael Punongbayan

Chinese naval and civilian vessels in the West Philippine Sea made their biggest show of force this year, reaching 203 in the past seven days as against the 163 monitored the previous week, the Philippine Navy said yesterday.

At least 10 people have been reported dead due to weather-related causes as Tropical Storm Enteng continued to bring heavy rains to various areas in Luzon and the Visayas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said yesterday.

The Philippines will maintain a constant presence in Escoda Shoal to prevent China from realizing its “fantasy” of controlling the region inside Philippine territory, an official of the National Maritime Council said yesterday.

Frowning at the idea of foreign states partnering with each other against a particular country, China yesterday questioned the motive behind Japan and Australia’s efforts to strengthen ties, with the supposed goal of supporting the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Celebrating 75 years of strong diplomatic relations, Indonesia has nothing but praises for the long-standing friendship that it has with the Philippines.

With more Chinese vessels turning up slowly but steadily in the West Philippine Sea, the chief of the US Indo-Pacific Command has warned his counterpart in the People’s Liberation Army against making dangerous and escalatory actions in the South China Sea.

As the country ratchets up efforts to upgrade its defense capabilities, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. visited on Thursday key naval facilities in Palawan that are considered of “strategic importance.”

The country should establish more strategic partnerships with like-minded states in the European Union, as it continues building up global alliances in response to new security realities unfolding.

The Philippine Army announced yesterday the neutralization of Edgar Arbitrario, a top New People’s Army leader from Mindanao, during an encounter with government troops in Peñablanca town in Cagayan.

Seoul and Manila’s friendship is “now stronger than ever,” South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa said, as the two nations marked 75 years of bilateral relations.