02-11-2025: Migrant advocates decry ‘neglect’ of undocumented Filipinos in ICE detention
Read More »Tag: Department of Foreign Affairs (Philippines)
US moves Typhon missile launchers to new strategic site in Philippines

The Typhon launchers, which carry Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of reaching targets in China and Russia from the Philippines, also house SM-6 missiles, which can strike air or sea targets more than 200 km away.
The US military has relocated its Typhon missile launchers—capable of firing multipurpose missiles over thousands of kilometers—from Laoag Airfield in the Philippines to another location on Luzon island, a senior Philippine government source revealed, as reported by Reuters.
US moves Typhon missile launchers to new strategic site in Philippines
Previously:
‘It’s a win’: Philippines, China uphold South China Sea deal on resupply missions
Philippine Army acquiring US missile system
What’s Really Going On In the South China Sea Between the Philippines and China
‘It’s a win’: Philippines, China uphold South China Sea deal on resupply missions
Analysts say the agreement ‘commits both states to a status quo’ and urge the Philippines to hold firm on its South China Sea stance
‘It’s a win’: Philippines, China uphold South China Sea deal on resupply missions
Related:
Read More »South China Sea: US troop aid may reassure Philippines but will prod China, analysts say
Has anyone realized that by disclosing the existence of “US Task Force Ayungin,” Biden admin implicitly recognized Philippines’ sovereignty over a disputed SCS feature?
Washington has never taken a position on SCS territories(but it has in ECS). This is a clear signal to China.*
South China Sea: US troop aid may reassure Philippines but will prod China, analysts say (archived)
The Philippines has said the US task force only offered support – in the form of intelligence and surveillance – and did not directly take part in its resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre, the retired warship, but analysts suggested that China’s leadership could see it in a different light.
…
Zheng said the revelation about the American task force meant the US was likely to be more engaged in the drawn-out maritime conflicts in the region, even suggesting that Washington would “be the first to take part in the command and planning of Philippine maritime activities”.
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Ding Duo, deputy director of the Centre for Oceans Law and Policy at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies in Hainan, said the presence of a special task force showed that Washington and Manila had long cooperated on resupply operations to Second Thomas Shoal.
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“Such support emboldens the Philippines and is not conducive to China and the Philippines managing their differences,” Ding said. “The US involvement has also squeezed the political space for internal coordination and decision-making within the Philippines.”
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He said it was also possible that American troops could be on Philippine ships and involved in front-line action “using a covert or concealed identity to participate in Philippine maritime operations” in future.
He said the US could “only intervene [in South China Sea disputes] in a covert manner and so it took the form of a task force”.
Related:
Read More »Austin: US troops deployed to Task Force Ayungin

MANILA, Philippines — United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III has revealed the existence of what appears to be a military unit of American troops in the country called the “US Task Force Ayungin.”
Related:
What’s Really Going On In the South China Sea Between the Philippines and China
Chinese and Philippine ships collide at Sabina Shoal, a new flash point + More
The incident, the first time in decades that Beijing and Manila have clashed over the Sabina Shoal, may derail efforts to lower tensions in the South China Sea.
Chinese and Philippine ships collide at Sabina Shoal, a new flash point (archived)
Related:
CCG restricts repeated Philippine vessel intrusions near South China Sea reefs
Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Monday that the Philippines sees Xianbin Jiao as a transfer station for its resupply missions to Ren’ai Jiao, as Xianbin Jiao is located between Ren’ai Jiao and the Philippines’ Palawan Province.
Philippine media have hyped the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) presence in the Xianbin Jiao, but it is the Philippines that has sent the MRRV-9701 to the area in the first place. The Philippine ship anchored in the lagoon of the Xianbin Jiao in April, with a CCG ship arriving later in July.
Updated on 07-27-2024: SeaLight, formerly Project Myoushu
Powell’s storytelling:
Read More »NO to US-BBM War, NO to EDCA Bases! Blinken-Austin Get Out, Stay Out!
The Philippines and China have just restored peace and stability in the areas of the South China Sea contested by the two countries in a July 21, 2024 “de-escalation” deal that aimed at “easing tensions.”
NO to US-BBM War, NO to EDCA Bases!
Blinken-Austin Get Out, Stay Out!
Related:
NO to US-BBM War, NO to EDCA Bases! – Cebu
NO to US-BBM War, NO to EDCA Bases! Blinken-Austin Get Out, Stay Out! Forum Statement
Washington’s Use and Abuse of the Philippines Takes Next Step
How the Philippines ‘covertly’ reinforced the BRP Sierra Madre
China reveals Philippine Personnel secretly resupplying BRP Sierra Madre by posing as Fishermen
Personally, I think that these “Secret” Operations are being done by the Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM) of the Philippine Navy (PN) as this seems to fall under their Area of Responsibility.
Remember that the NAVSOCOM Troops were also the ones that were involved in an Altercation with the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) earlier this Month.
PH NAVSOCOM trains with the U.S. Navy SEALs:
Philippines secretly reinforced Sierra Madre and China’s latest actions not an armed attack
The Sierra Madre has become the most dangerous flashpoint in the Indo-Pacific
Philippines secretly reinforces ship at centre of South China Sea dispute
Related:
China’s latest actions not an armed attack – Palace
China exposes Philippines’ reneging on South China Sea commitment
Related:
China exposes Philippines’ reneging on South China Sea commitment
Wang pointed out that the Philippines has made a solemn promise to tow away the military vessel illegally grounded at Ren’ai Jiao, noting that 25 years have passed, and the Philippines has still not towed away the warship.
Noting that the Philippines has violated the understanding reached between the two sides on the proper management of the situation on Ren’ai jiao, the spokesperson said despite the Philippines’ commitment not to reinforce the grounded warship and to notify China in advance of any plans to resupply it, China, out of humanitarian considerations, has made temporary special arrangements for Philippine vessels transporting necessary supplies to the warship multiple times.
“However, the Philippines continues to send government vessels and warships to forcibly enter Ren’ai Jiao, attempting to transport construction materials for large-scale repairs and reinforcement of the warship in order to achieve permanent occupation of Ren’ai Jiao,” Wang said.
PH did promise to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin
Philippines Budgets for a Permanent Base at Second Thomas Shoal
It’s Time to Build Combined Forward Operating Base Sierra Madre
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