Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

The country's military chief claims that the incident saw Chinese boats come within five meters of the Philippine outpost at Second Thomas Shoal.

Growing Chinese assertiveness in the East and South China seas has forced the two U.S. allies to reorient their defense strategies.

Manila is seeking to take a major step forward in the modernization of its armed forces, but current economic conditions are challenging.

The recording, released this week by the Chinese embassy in Manila, purports to lay out a "new model" for managing tensions at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.

The deployment follows a string of stand-offs between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed seaway.

The deadly bombing of a Catholic Mass in Marawi City ended years of relative peace in Mindanao. It is a reminder of the need for continued vigilance.

The new "comprehensive archipelagic defense concept" will seek to secure Manila's access to resources lying within its Exclusive Economic Zone, including in the South China Sea.

The dueling patrols, which were scheduled to take place on January 3-4, encapsulate the intensifying frictions in the waterway.

Turbulence in Congress and allegations of dissent among the military leadership have undermined President Marcos' "unity" administration.

Gen. Romeo Brawner said that the country is being subject to daily attacks by malicious actors, some of them foreign.

The government did not provide any explanation for the replacement of Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, who was supposed to serve until August 2025.