Philippines South China Sea approach

Faced with a country indifferent to reputational costs, Manila’s campaign to illuminate China’s gray-zone activities in the South China Sea is producing diminishing returns.

The challenge for the various parties is to insulate the China-Philippines tussle from broader regional and global tensions.

Despite being repeatedly let down by its sole treaty ally, the Philippines has persisted in preserving its territorial claims and sovereign rights in the hotly-contested body of water.

Manila's transparency strategy needs to go beyond “name and shame” campaigns.

In this exclusive interview, Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea at the Philippine Coast Guard, discusses the current situation near Second Thomas Shoal.

The new PCG Commandant will be critical for sustaining reform and the Philippines' maritime security approach.

The Philippines is exploring the possibility of bringing China to another international dispute settlement organ.

Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos' comments come two days after the Philippine Coast Guard removed a barrier that Chinese ships had installed at the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

The Philippine Coast Guard described China's installation of the barrier at Scarborough Shoal as "a clear violation of international law.”

The "floating barrier" is intended to prevent Filipino fishermen from accessing Scarborough Shoal, a China-occupied feature in the South China Sea.

Marcos is overhauling Philippine strategy, and the strategic shift is as significant as any in the region.

The Philippine leader did not mention China by name, but his comments were a clear reference to the growing frictions in the South China Sea.

Manila should change the narrative from a focus on “how to defend” against China toward a more active strategy of deterring China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has asked the Philippines to respect what it calls Chinese sovereignty in the disputed waters.

Under Duterte, the Philippine Coast Guard has taken on a new prominence. But don't assume Manila is resorting to gray zone tactics.

The time is ripe for both sides to modernize their longstanding partnership.

Xi's visit was a feel-good exercise, spotlighting cooperation on the Belt and Road and even the South China Sea.

Realistically, joint development of resources is probably the Philippines’ best bet.

To defend its claims in the South China Sea, Manila will need more white hulls.

How long can the U.S.-Philippines alliance remain "rock solid" in the face of Duterte's fiery rhetoric?

Could partnered fisheries enforcement be the best follow up to the recent PCA ruling?

We need to be clear about what the real danger is not just for the Philippines, but the region and the world.

Some of the president-elect's likely domestic and foreign policies have become clearer.

The country’s president must start reconciling rhetoric with reality as he prepares to govern.