August 16, 2016 Sen. Panfilo Lacson said allegations that quarrying and smuggling in Zambales are part of China’s reclamation activities in the South China Sea should be investigated. Armed Forces Philippine soil used for South China Sea reclamation?  MANILA, Philippines – The Senate blue ribbon committee will conduct an inquiry into Chinese mining operations and illegal excavations… Read More

By Patricia Lourdes Viray FILE – In this May 11, 2015, file photo, an aerial photo taken through a glass window of a military plane shows China’s alleged on-going reclamation of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Ritchie B. Tongo/Pool Photo via AP, File MANILA, Philippines — Environmental advocates recently called for… Read More

By Pia Lee-Brago and Louise Maureen Simeon MANILA, Philippines – Former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario believes that the Philippines can engage in a friendly dialogue with China but a multilateral approach must be made with countries that supported the legal track to bring the South China Sea dispute before the Arbitral Tribunal. He… Read More

Japan’s Coast Guard said a record 14 Chinese government vessels, some with weapons mounted on them, entered a contiguous zone surrounding Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea at one point on Monday. Kyodo News via AP, File MANILA, Philippines – Japan has updated the Philippines on developments in the East… Read More

By Pia Lee-Brag The Philippines submitted evidence to the United Nations tribunal and raised six major issues, accusing China of causing severe harm to the marine environment in building its artificial islands within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Spratlys. Google Earth MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines can file a new case against China before… Read More

Dindo Manhit, President of the Stratbase–Albert Del Rosario Institute Image Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer When the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled favorably for the Philippines on the West Philippine Sea dispute, one of the more immediate questions was: “Can Filipinos now resume fishing in the waters of Scarborough Shoal and the Spratlys without harassment from… Read More

International think tanks warned of economic impact on the region if ASEAN will not unite to stop the escalation of disputes in the South China Sea. In a published article, Bonnie Glaser, senior advisor for Asia, Center for Strategic and International Studies said, “Each year, $5.3 trillion of trade passes through the South China Sea;… Read More