China Must Leave Panganiban, Not Our Navy from Ayungin

Panganiban, also referred to as Mischief Reef, is an underwater feature situated within the South China Sea. It lies roughly 129 nautical miles from the Philippine island of Palawan, unquestionably within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China’s actions at Panganiban, where […]

PH Reaffirms 2016 Arbitral Award in International Tribunal Hearing on Marine Protection, Preservation

In 2016, an international tribunal delivered a landmark ruling in the case of the Philippines v. China, commonly referred to as the South China Sea arbitration. This ruling, which invalidated many of China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, was seen as a significant victory for the Philippines and a crucial step towards resolving the complex and contentious disputes in the region. In 2023, the Philippines reaffirmed this award in a subsequent international tribunal hearing, further emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and preserving the rights of smaller nations in the face of powerful actors. The Philippines National Oil Company (PNOC) is embarking on a significant endeavor aimed at bolstering the nation's energy security and economic growth. This initiative involves tapping into new wells at the Malampaya gas field, located offshore northwest of Palawan Island. Since its discovery in the late 1980s, the Malampaya field has been a critical source of natural gas, supplying power plants in Luzon with a cleaner and more reliable energy source.

The South China Sea has long been a source of territorial disputes, with multiple countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, asserting territorial claims in the region. These disputes have escalated over the years, driven by the strategic importance of the South China Sea for trade routes, fisheries, and potential energy resources. […]

The Plundering of the South China Sea

The South China Sea has a history of territorial disputes dating back centuries, but the contemporary struggle can be traced to the mid-20th century. In 1947, the Republic of China (ROC) released a map known as the “Nine-Dash Line,” which claimed almost the entire South China Sea as its territory. After the Chinese Civil War, […]

Marcos and Harris Hold Dialogue on South China Sea in Indonesia

The South China Sea dispute has perennially remained a flashpoint for international contention. Its strategic significance as a crucial maritime route through which trillions of dollars in global trade flow makes it a pivotal geopolitical interest for many nations. However, disputes regarding territorial claims involving China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei have resulted […]

China’s New Map Riles the Region, Sparking ‘Collective Concern’ Over its Claims

China’s new map departs from previous versions by significantly expanding its territorial claims. Of particular note is the map’s depiction of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, an area hotly contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. These territorial claims have long been a source of regional instability and friction. The […]

Japan, US, the Philippines Drill in the South China Sea; China Contests US Position on Territorial Disputes

The South China Sea dispute revolves around competing territorial claims and sovereignty over numerous islands and reefs. China’s assertiveness in these claims, particularly its expansive “nine-dash line” assertion, has raised concerns globally. These claims overlap with the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of neighboring nations, fueling longstanding disputes and drawing the ire of the international community, […]

US Joins China Map Row, Slams It as ‘Unlawful’ Bid to Crumble ‘International Sovereignty’

Maps have traditionally served as tools of navigation and geopolitical representation, reflecting the ambitions, disputes, and territorial aspirations of nations. In recent times, these maps have assumed a more prominent role, particularly in disputes concerning territorial boundaries and maritime domains. The South China Sea, a region rife with competing territorial claims, has become a focal […]

Marcos Jr. Asserts Need for South China Sea COC ‘Anchored in Law’

To address this volatility and the potential for conflict, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has championed the need for a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. The goal is to establish a legal framework that can facilitate conflict resolution, define the rights and responsibilities of involved parties, and offer mechanisms […]

Marcos Jr Hits Militarization, Dangerous Maneuvers in South China Sea

The South China Sea, bordered by multiple nations including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, holds immense strategic importance due to its abundant natural resources and vital role as a trade route. However, competing territorial claims have engendered conflicts, rendering it a contentious geopolitical arena. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has articulated two primary […]