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Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines raised its strongest concerns yet over China’s recent actions in the West Philippine Sea during high-level talks Tuesday, July 22, protesting the violent confrontation at Ayungin Shoal, the depiction of Filipinos as monkeys in a Chinese state media video, and Beijing’s continued presence at Bajo de Masinloc. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro conveyed Manila’s positions during a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The meeting marked the first bilateral engagement at the foreign minister level between the two countries in two years. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Lazaro reiterated the Philippines’ “strong protest” over the violent actions of China Coast Guard personnel against Philippine Navy personnel during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on July 20. Lazaro reiterated the Philippines’ call…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines and China will review the implementation of their provisional understanding on rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal following the latest violent confrontation between their forces in the West Philippine Sea, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan said. Speaking to reporters after meeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Tuesday, July 21, Jing said both sides would discuss the status of the July 2024 arrangement to prevent misunderstandings and miscalculations during Philippine rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre. “We will discuss the implementation of the provisional understanding and we will see what will happen next,” Jing said. He also urged the Philippines to continue complying with the arrangement. The review comes after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) accused China Coast Guard personnel of striking a Philippine Navy sailor in the head with a wooden baton and damaging a navy…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held high-level bilateral talks Wednesday, July 22,  on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, a day after Manila and Beijing summoned each other’s ambassadors over the latest confrontation near Ayungin Shoal. The meeting came as tensions flared again in the South China Sea after the Armed Forces of the Philippines said China Coast Guard personnel struck a Philippine Navy sailor in the head with a wooden baton and damaged a Navy rubber boat during a lawful mission to BRP Sierra Madre.  The Department of Foreign Affairs called the violence against Filipino personnel “unacceptable” and said it would take appropriate diplomatic action. In an interview with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan after he was summoned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacanang, the envoy said the discussions were “constructive” and covered not…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Senator Ping Lacson bared at least two case studies of alleged flood control ghost projects in Taguig City – a political stronghold of the Cayetanos – in his word war with Senator Alan Cayetano.  “We have documented at least 2 case studies so far. Too many ₱100M slope protection and drainage projects totaling ₱2.085B out of the ₱6.79B insertions under the 2025 GAA [General Appropriations Act],” Lacson said in a post on X on Wednesday, July 22, referencing an investigation by his team.  Lacson was referring to the alleged ₱6.79 billion in budget insertions that Cayetano added to the 2025 GAA. He said that under this insertion, 68 out of 70 were implemented while the remaining two projects worth ₱75 million were unreleased or unobligated.  Ghost projects are classified as budget items that were fully paid but non-existent.  “There is no turning back!” Lacson said. Over…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to Malacañang on Tuesday, July 21,  following the latest confrontation between Philippine and Chinese forces near Ayungin Shoal. The meeting came two days after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said China Coast Guard personnel struck a Philippine Navy sailor in the head with a wooden baton and damaged a Navy rigid-hull inflatable boat during a routine resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) condemned the incident, calling any act of violence against Filipino personnel “unacceptable” and saying it would take “appropriate diplomatic action.” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the discussion involved issues of national security and details are limited at the moment.  Before confirming the meeting, Castro said the president supported the statements issued by the Department of National Defense, the AFP and the DFA condemning the incident. “Kinukondena…