MANILA – Senators have proposed earmarking P1 billion as seed money to finance the development of the country’s own defense industry in the wake of China’s more aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea.   The senators, led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, jointly filed Senate…

MANILA – National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Tuesday said China was “creating unnecessary tensions” with the Philippines and was “overhyping” a recent incident where a Philippine Navy ship entered the waters of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.   “Under international law, the Philippines has every right to patrol the length and breadth of the West Philippine Sea, which necessarily includes Bajo de Masinloc, which…

A defense expert and former senior U.S. naval officer has urged the Philippines to focus on rallying the international community towards creating a stronger international pressure on Beijing amidst China’s increased aggression in the West Philippine Sea. Retired USN Carl O. Schuster pointed out that China, while it has become increasingly aggressive in asserting control over the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, has become more vulnerable to public…

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he is eyeing a fishing ban and other restrictions in certain areas to address overfishing and boost the country’s fish population.   Such measures, said Marcos, are part of the government’s plan of securing the country’s fish stocks along with other initiatives for the agriculture sector to…