Indo-Pacific naval affairs, maritime security, mainly SE Asia and SCS. *Tweets/RTs STRICTLY personal. Proud Singaporean and happy father of 2 beautiful girls.
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Updated table on PH maritime cooperative activities in the West Philippine Sea with foreign allies and partners, following the latest with Australia and the U.S. on 19-25 August. All errors are solely mine alone and your honest feedback is most welcome. 🙏🏽👇🏽
19th MMCA Successfully Strengthens Maritime Interoperability Among Philippines, US, and Australia
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), together with the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), successfully concluded the 19th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea from August 19 to 25, 2026.
A one-week activity successfully enhanced maritime interoperability and operational coordination among the participating forces through a series of complex maritime and air operations designed to strengthen their capability to operate seamlessly together in support for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.
The Philippines deployed the BRP Diego Silang (FFG7), a Philippine Navy AW109 helicopter, Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter aircrafts, C-208B aircraft, and Sokol Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter. The Philippine Coast Guard likewise participated through the deployment of BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701). The United States participated with the USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32) and P-8A Poseidon aircraft, while Australia deployed HMAS Supply (A-195), along with MH-60R helicopter and P-8A aircraft.
Throughout the activity, participating forces successfully conducted advanced maritime interoperability exercises, including Communications Exercises (COMMEX), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Replenishment at Sea (RAS), Division Tactics (DIVTACS) / Officer of the Watch (OOW) Maneuvers, Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX) and fly-by operations.
The successful completion of the 19th MMCA underscores the enduring commitment of the Philippines, the United States, and Australia to strengthening defense cooperation, enhancing interoperability, and promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Photos and videos by Cpl Esteban PN(M) and Cpl Luna PA / PAOAFP
#AFPyoucanTRUST
#OneAFPOnePhilippines
#StrongAFPStrongPhilippines
#OurSeasOurRightsOurFuture
#MatatagNaSandigan🫡🇵🇭
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Beijing implies that ADMM-Plus members including ASEAN member states and dialogue partners are all puppets of Manila. I think it should be regarded by the Philippines as nothing short of flattery. 🙃
MND: The Philippine Side Co-opted Relevant Countries to Make Provocations in the Name of Security Cooperation
Question: It's reported that the Philippines recently rallied some countries to conduct a field training exercise under the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group (EWG) on Maritime Security near China's Huangyan Dao. Do you have any comment on this?
Jiang Bin: The ADMM-Plus is an important platform for countries to enhance mutual trust and cooperation and to safeguard regional peace and stability. Taking advantage of its role as co-chair of the EWG on Maritime Security, the Philippine side has put aside the principle of consensus through consultation and co-opted relevant countries into conducting a joint military exercise in areas near China's Huangyan Dao. The exercise is in fact a provocation and propaganda in the name of security cooperation. It will only disrupt regional peace and stability and runs counter to the regional consensus of jointly preserving peace and promoting development.
Huangyan Dao is an inherent part of China's territory. China has indisputable sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters. We urge the Philippine side to end this clumsy farce and stop coveting China’s territory. It should fulfill the responsibilities of EWG co-chairs, and play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and cooperation among countries in the region and safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea.
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Back then, Singapore government-chartered route via HKSAR to transport military training equipment from Taiwan seemed all alright until the Terrex incident caught us off guard in 2017.
As US officials investigate how parts of an F-35 stealth aircraft ended up in Beijing’s possession, one possible explanation lies in a UPS logistics chain that routinely directs Asia shipments through China bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
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Flexing muscle but not going any further than that is what Beijing can afford for the largest Philippine outpost in the Spratlys, at least for now. Unlike Second Thomas Shoal, Thitu Island can resupply by air so PRC maritime blockade will be much less effective.
WATCH: A number of Chinese vessels were seen loitering near Philippine-administered Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea as national government officials visited the island on Friday, September 25. | via @michael_delizo
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Back in July 2024, both Beijing and Manila asserted their own interpretations of the PU. But Beijing didn’t obstruct the resupply. Now, it decided Manila has to adhere to its interpretation.
This is nothing short of being perfidious and disingenuous.
#Exclusive: The Philippine resupply mission to the illegally “grounded” vessel at Ren’ai Jiao had not received #China’s prior approval and fell outside the provisional humanitarian arrangements made between China and the Philippines and was therefore illegal, the Global Times learned. A source familiar with the matter said the Philippine vessel withdrew after the China Coast Guard tracked, monitored and warned it in waters relatively far from Ren’ai Jiao, and no intense confrontation occurred.
globaltimes.cn/page/202609/1…
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“The Philippines broke its commitments and… sent a ship to deliver supplies to an illegally grounded Philippine vessel at Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea.”
You didn’t allege Manila was sending construction material. Clearly you shifted your goalpost to fit your narrative.
China urges Philippines to stop provocations in South China Sea
China on Friday urged the Philippines to immediately stop all acts of provocation and trouble-making, warning that the China Coast Guard (CCG) will resolutely safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
The Philippines broke its commitments and, despite China's dissuasion, sent a ship to deliver supplies to an illegally grounded Philippine vessel at Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea on Thursday, the CCG spokesperson Jiang Lue said.
The CCG monitored the Philippine supply ship on site and issued loudspeaker warnings, Jiang said, adding that the measures taken were all lawful.
The spokesperson stressed that by taking provocative actions and hyping up the incident, the Philippine side has seriously violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and gravely undermined regional peace and stability.
China will continue to conduct law enforcement operations to safeguard its rights in accordance with the law in the Nansha Qundao, including Ren'ai Jiao, and adjacent waters, the spokesperson said.
#China #CCG #Philippines
#SouthChinaSea #DOC
#NanshaQundao #RenaiJiao
#NanshaIslands #RenaiReef
#ChinaMilitary #ChinaMilBugle
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Beijing just tore up the July 2024 provisional understanding to shreds, after trampling on it just not too long ago.
JUST IN: The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirms that 3 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) warships and 5 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, including 2 Houbei-class missile boats, interfered with a routine humanitarian rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin Shoal.
According to the AFP, the M/V Lapu-Lapu and 3 Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard support vessels were hindered by the Chinese vessels while still approximately 60 nautical miles from Ayungin Shoal, preventing them from delivering supplies and rotating personnel aboard the BRP Sierra Madre. @ABSCBNNews
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Indonesia's navy chief hopes the newly-commissioned light aircraft carrier, KRI Sriwijaya (formerly ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi) could be one day outfitted with Sea Harrier or F-35B jump-jets. I'm afraid to say it'll likely remain a pipedream. nasional.kompas.com/read/202…
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Says the real wolf with even nastier, sharper fangs. 🙃
Japan, the wolf that's asking the world to ignore its sharpened fangs #CGTNOpinion
news.cgtn.com/news/2026-09-2…
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This post touches the raw nerve of the Little Pinks. Hence I shall repost it again, just to press on this point: you can't accept that Japan is perceived more favorably than PRC amongst the international community; your narrative failed to gain traction. Go take a chill pill. 🙃
Beijing sure has every incentive to keep the “Enemy State Clauses” - it needs a bogeyman to punch at to divert domestic restlessness.
That notwithstanding, most countries don’t regard Japan as an enemy state, but a generally rules-abiding, and a reliable economic partner.
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Beijing sure has every incentive to keep the “Enemy State Clauses” - it needs a bogeyman to punch at to divert domestic restlessness.
That notwithstanding, most countries don’t regard Japan as an enemy state, but a generally rules-abiding, and a reliable economic partner.
MFA spokesperson on Japanese PM’s call for deletion of “Enemy State Clauses”:
The Enemy State Clauses are a legal mechanism in the UN Charter. For 81 years, these clauses have served to prevent the resurgence of fascism and militarism and defend the postwar international order. They are still relevant today.
Recognizing Japan’s militarist crimes and accepting the UN Charter in its entirety was the prerequisite for Japan’s admission into the UN. We urge Japan to take history as a mirror, deeply repent, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions.
#UNGA81 #TokyoTrials80
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CASI has done countless great work, including translating PRC military-related texts and most crucially, contributed real value to the analysis of PLA capabilities.
Trump 2.0’s decision to shutter CASI means we will have a major intellectual gap that’ll be hard to fill.
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I don't think the EU, under the Coordinated Maritime Presences scheme, can cough up 10 vessels. And we're not talking about any vessel - it has to be a bluewater-capable ship that has an optimal anti-air warfare suite onboard to fight drones and missiles. reuters.com/world/eus-kallas…
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It's in fact magnanimous of Manila to still stick to One-China Policy despite Beijing's repeated transgressions against Philippine maritime sovereignty and sovereign rights.
You should count yourself lucky that Manila didn't change its stance despite you playing with fire. 🙃
#Opinion: We urge #Manila to abandon any sense of complacency or speculative thinking; playing with fire and testing the limits of the one-China principle will certainly not end well for it.
globaltimes.cn/page/202609/1…
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A real exclusive is one that reports for the very first time, the PLA is so soundly sleeping on the job that it failed to detect and track the transit. Otherwise, it's nothing burgers. 🙃 globaltimes.cn/page/202609/1…
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What a dumb take. Using such warped argument, many countries in the international community would "risk new friction" with Beijing. 🙃
Manila’s claim of standing by one-China policy while pursuing economic cooperation with Taiwan region may risk new friction with China, move to hurt itself: expert
globaltimes.cn/page/202609/1…
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Taiwan appears to have transferred its recently-decommissioned CGA vessel Lienchiang to Manila, according to local daily UDN. Tracked on AIS as registered PH law enforcement vessel. CGA official statement did not deny the transfer.
udn.com/news/story/10930/975…
cga.gov.tw/GipOpen/wSite/ct?…
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Could this have been BLINGNO. 1? 👀
WPS Foundation Donates 61-Meter Training Ship to the Philippine Coast Guard
The WPS Foundation formally donated a training ship to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in a turnover ceremony held this morning. With the completion of the necessary legal, administrative, and technical requirements, the vessel is now under the custody of the PCG for civilian maritime purposes.
The vessel, with an overall length of 61 meters, can be configured to serve as a multi-role response vessel of the PCG. The donation supports the PCG's mandates in maritime safety, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, marine environmental protection, and maritime capacity-building. It forms part of the Foundation's commitment to strengthen the capabilities of the Philippines' civilian maritime agencies through concrete, practical support.
"This donation is about saving lives, protecting our seas, and building the capacity of the men and women of the Philippine Coast Guard. We are proud to have turned over a platform that will serve Filipino fishermen, mariners, and coastal communities," said Dr. Jeffrey Ordaniel, President and CEO of the WPS Foundation.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan expressed his gratitude to the Foundation and said the vessel will be deployed in Mindanao, where it will be utilized for humanitarian assistance and disaster response, search and rescue, and marine environmental protection operations.
The Foundation emphasizes that this initiative is civilian, humanitarian, and non-confrontational in nature and is not directed against any country.
The WPS Foundation will continue to coordinate with the PCG and the appropriate Philippine authorities on the vessel's utilization.
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The empty table.
LOOK: China will not participate in the ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting - Plus Maritime Security Exercise this coming week, where ASEAN nations along with the U.S., Japan, Australia and other “Plus” partner nations will take part in naval exercises and cultural exchanges. | via @chinogaston
Visit gmanetwork.com/news for more updates.
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Along with my friend @ianjbowers I'll be on Special Session #2, will share my thoughts about maritime rules-based order and cooperation. It's an honor to be invited again to the 2026 Seoul Defense Dialogue, following my debut participation in 2024. 🙏🏽👇🏽
📢 2026 서울안보대화 특별세션 미리보기!
올해 제15회를 맞이하는 2026 서울안보대화!
특별세션에서는 어떤 논의가 이루어질까요?
✅ 특별세션1
한반도 평화와 안정의 새로운 접근
✅ 특별세션2
해양질서의 균열과 협력
✅ 특별세션3
전쟁 패러다임 전환: 신흥기술과 미래 국방전략
✅ 특별세션4
회복과 재건을 위한 연대와 협력
더 많은 이야기가 궁금하다면? 지금 바로 검색창에 2026 서울안보대화를 검색하세요 🔍
#국방부 #2026서울안보대화 #서울안보대화 #SDD #SDD2026 #한반도평화 #평화 #협력 #안보
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Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration Anping-class offshore patrol vessel Cijin (CG605) launches Hsiung Feng-3 anti-ship cruisemissile in the latest tri-service exercises.
The Anping-class is the only coastguard vessel worldwide that can launch supersonic anti-ship cruisemissile.
國軍「115年三軍聯合 #精準飛彈射擊 」訓練16日至18日於 #九鵬地區 實施，整合三軍 #飛彈部隊 、 #情監偵 及 #無人機 能量，執行 #聯合防空 、 #海空協同 暨 #濱海打擊 等 #實彈射擊 課目，依擊殺鏈程序實施 #偵蒐 、 #目獲 、 #識別 、 #目標分配 及 #攻擊 ，驗證武器裝備性能及射擊指揮管制程序，提升三軍聯合作戰能力。
此次三軍聯合精準飛彈射擊，透過 #實戰化 訓練完整驗證 #偵蒐目獲 、 #指揮管制 、 #目標分配 及 #精準打擊 等擊殺鏈作為，並藉由有人、 #無人武器系統 配合運用，持續精進 #聯合作戰 指管與精準打擊能力，厚植整體防衛戰力。
#中華民國國軍 #飛彈射擊 #國家安全 #ROC #Taiwan
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