The continuing harassment of China Coast Guard (CCG) reached an unprecedented level in late March 2024 when three (3) Filipino troops on a replenishment mission were wounded after CCG cutters 21555 and 21551 attacked by water cannons the civilian wooden-hulled supply boat Unaizah May 4 carrying passengers and supplies intended for the Philippine stranded ship BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin…
Some researchers contend that a sovereign state has three (3) interrelated functions in the maritime domain: maritime safety, maritime security and maritime defense. These functions require legislation, compliance to some international conventions, and executive issuances that are directed to various maritime agencies. Maritime safety, the first function, refers to actions that promote safety of life at sea including search and…
The Western Command Armed Forces of the Philippines successfully conducted a reprovisioning mission to BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) at Ayungin Shoal to replenish the supplies and materials needed by its crew on 2-August-2022. Escorting the reprovisioning boat, MV Unaiza Mae 2, were the Philippine Coast Guard’s newest Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV), the BRP Teresa Magbanua MRRV 9701 and BRP Malapascua…
The sea referred to as the ‘West Philippine Sea’ comprises different maritime zones, not all of which actually pertain to the Philippines as its territory from the perspective of international law. Given that the Philippines is a member of the international community, it is only advisable that it employ an approach consistent with international law in respect of its territory…
My involvement in the Spratlys, South China Sea and West Philippine Sea issue goes back a long way. As a junior officer, fresh from the Naval Academy, I was part of a secret mission sometime in 1971. I transported troops,weapons, equipment and supplies to the islands we occupied in Freedomland, now called the Kalayaan Island Group.