Dindo Manhit, President, Stratbase ADR Institute On March 7, 2021, around 220 vessels flying the Chinese flag were spotted along the Julian Felipe Reef, a shallow coral reef located approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan. Based on data from geospatial satellite images from the South China Sea Rapid Alert Platform of Simularity, these… Read More

Dr. Renato de Castro, Trustee and Convenor of the National Security and East Asian Affairs Program, Stratbase ADR Institute Once again, the enigmatic and massive presence of Chinese fishing vessels that are believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia are in the Philippine Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ), particularly in the Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun… Read More

The Indo-Pacific region is in the middle of a pivotal moment in geopolitics where uncertainties continue to emanate from the changing power dynamics among states and evolving complex security threats. This has also prominently highlighted that the interdependence of states is no longer a government affair alone but has elevated the relevance of non-state actors… Read More

The recent Chinese incursion in the Julian Felipe Reef has been strongly condemned not only by the Philippine government, but by the full spectrum of Philippine society. It is clear that the sentiment of the Filipino people is for our government to be resolute in protecting our sovereign rights and territorial integrity. The persistent and… Read More

Dr. Renato de Castro, Trustee and Convenor of the National Security and East Asian Affairs Program, Stratbase ADR Institute On March 20, 2021, Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana officially informed the Filipino nation about the presence of around 220-blue hulled Chinese fishing vessels moored in line formation at Julian Felipe Reef (international name… Read More

Dindo Manhit, President, Stratbase ADR Institute The results that policymakers had hoped for when the Philippines was locked down in March 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19 did not happen. A year after, the National Capital Region and the surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal have again been put under lockdown, with… Read More

Dindo Manhit, President, Stratbase ADR Institute The year 2020 was a great disruption that reversed the Philippine economy’s growth with a full-year contraction of 9.5 percent, the country’s worst economic performance in 73 years. This was also the steepest decline recorded in Southeast Asia last year. Likewise a record was the country’s annual unemployment rate… Read More