A timely reminder for me to dig deeper into my research on the Philippines’ maritime militia, the PERA Act folded into the latest NDAA, and the SeaLight Foundation.
The Philippines’ Fishermen Front Line: the KBBM Program Exposed
Previously:
Read More »Brian Berletic, December 15, 2025
Renewed fighting along the Thai–Cambodian border in December highlights how local disputes in Southeast Asia are increasingly shaped by broader great-power strategies aimed at constraining China’s rise.
Thai-Cambodian Conflict Threatens Asian Stability by Design (archived)
Beijing has accused Manila of organising a “premeditated” provocation and dangerous manoeuvres near a disputed reef in the South China Sea, and Washington of making false statements that have escalated tensions in the region.
Manila said Philippine fishing boats near Sabina Shoal had been targeted with water cannons by Chinese coastguard ships in an incident on Friday, while Beijing said Philippine personnel had threatened Chinese officers with knives.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday that the Philippines had assembled a large number of vessels “in an organised and premeditated manner to provoke trouble” in waters near the shoal.
[SCMP] China accuses Philippines of ‘premeditated’ provocations near Sabina Shoal (archived)
Related:
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[Aaron-Matthew Lariosa] VIDEO: China Coast Guard Blasts Fishermen With Water Cannon Near Sabina Shoal, Philippines Dispatches Patrol Boats
Read More »As global attention focuses on China and Japan, Tokyo and Manila are quietly deepening their economic and “defense” ties.
WATCH: A China Coast Guard vessel (CCG 21559) fired a water cannon and rammed the BRP Datu Pagbuaya near Pag-asa Island this Sunday morning while the ship was assisting Filipino fishermen under the “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” program, the PCG reports.
The incident occurred after CCG and Chinese militia vessels made dangerous maneuvers around anchored BFAR ships. CCG 21559 fired at 9:15 AM and rammed the BRP Datu Pagbuaya at 9:18 AM, causing minor damage but no injuries. (Video courtesy of PCG) | via Christine Boton
Related:
Update: I missed this one. Yesterday’s maritime incident happened near Sandy Cay, which is approximately 1.5 nautical miles from Thitu Island.
Read More »The document has been updated, but not the below information.
Document: War of Ideas in the Indo-Pacific document
YouTube: Senate Hearing on China’s Behavior in the Indo-Pacific
Read More »For the moment, SouthCom is framing the campaign as enhanced counternarcotics operations, rather than a prelude to a blockade or invasion. Statements have highlighted joint patrols and interdiction efforts with the Royal Netherlands Navy, Canada, the Dominican Republic and the United Kingdom, and the humanitarian or information-sharing nature of missions.
Related:
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 
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