South China Sea
Japan and Philippines sign new defense pact to strengthen ties
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Japan and the Philippines signed a new defense pact in Manila on Thursday. The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) facilitates the provision of supplies like fuel, ammunition, and food between their forces during joint exercises, aimed at deterring China's growing maritime assertiveness. Amid rising regional tensions, both nations emphasized upholding the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific.
The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command's naval and air forces conducted combat readiness patrols around Huangyan Island and its surrounding areas on Saturday, five days after US-Philippine drills in the region. The patrols aim to counter infringements and provocations by certain countries while safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and upholding peace in the South China Sea. The operation involved multiple aircraft and vessels, including H-6K bombers and frigates.
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Nagpapatuloy ang mahabang usapan sa pagitan ng ASEAN at China tungkol sa Code of Conduct sa South China Sea na naglalayong magtakda ng mga panuntunan upang maiwasan ang mga insidente at mabawasan ang tensyon sa gitna ng magkapatong na mga claim. Simula pa noong gitna ng 1990s, ang mga pakikipag-ugnayan na ito ay nagmula sa mga nakaraang salungatan, tulad ng labanan noong 1988 sa Johnson South Reef at ang okupasyon ng China sa Mischief Reef noong 1995. Sa kabila ng mabagal na pag-unlad, inaasahan ang pagwawakas nito sa Hulyo 2026.
A newly established U.S.-Philippine military task force aims to deter coercion in the disputed South China Sea and could expand to include allies such as Japan and Australia. Task Force Philippines represents a key step in strengthening bilateral ties. Experts indicate it may serve as the foundation for future multinational operations.
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Itinanggi ng Armed Forces of the Philippines ang pahayag ng China na nagpatrolya ang kanilang mga bomber sa West Philippine Sea habang ginagawa ang joint maritime drills kasama ang Estados Unidos at Japan noong nakaraang linggo. Walang natukoy na mga eroplanong ganoon ayon sa militar. Ito ay sumusuporta sa patuloy na tensyon sa South China Sea.
The Philippines officially assumed the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on October 28, 2025, at the close of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received the handover from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, setting the stage for Manila to host key meetings in 2026. Marcos expressed hopes to invite Chinese President Xi Jinping to Manila if South China Sea code of conduct talks conclude successfully by then.
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A U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz crashed in separate incidents over the South China Sea on Sunday afternoon about 30 minutes apart. All five crew members were recovered in safe, stable condition, according to the U.S. Pacific Fleet.