Association of Southeast Asian Nations Signs Free Trade Agreement Upgrade with China
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday signed an “upgraded” free trade agreement with China.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday signed an “upgraded” free trade agreement with China.

Five ships from the Indian and Philippine navies conducted a two-day “joint sail” on Sunday and Monday, marking the first time naval forces from the two countries have patrolled together in the South China Sea.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a “massive” trade deal with Japan, plus a “beautiful” deal with the Philippines.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte won re-election to his old job as mayor of Davao City by a landslide on Monday, despite languishing in a detention cell in the Netherlands while he awaits trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is running for his old job as mayor of Davao City from a detention cell in The Hague.

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Tuesday in response to a warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity, allegedly committed during his brutal war against drug dealers.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on Wednesday on charges including corruption, dereliction of duty, misuse of public funds, and plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Philippine police on Wednesday filed a criminal complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and her security staff for assaulting security officers and disobeying their orders during an altercation at the House of Representatives on Saturday.

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte referred to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., as a “drug addict” and suggested the military should oust him.

The vice president of the Philippines suggested she had hired a hitman to kill President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the first lady killed if she herself dies.

The governments of the Philippines and Vietnam announced on Friday that they would sign a defense agreement that would expand their cooperation out of trade and into military and security projects, including “maritime” defense operations.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the Chinese air force for conducting “unjustified, illegal, and reckless” maneuvers.

China and the Philippines announced on Sunday they have reached a “provisional arrangement” to allow resupply missions to reach the BRP Sierra Madre, the beached ship that functions as a Filipino outpost on the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

A group of 17 Philippine business organizations issued a rare statement denouncing China’s attack on Filipino naval personnel.

The Philippine military said on Monday that one of its sailors suffered a “serious injury” when a Chinese Coast Guard vessel conducted an “intentional high-speed ramming” attack against a Philippine supply ship in the South China Sea.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is scheduled to meet with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in Singapore this weekend, holding the first face-to-face bilateral defense meeting in 18 months.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gave an interview to China’s state-run Global Times on Friday in which the erratic leader trashed the United States as “antagonistic and hostile” and advised his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., to adopt a more conciliatory posture toward China.

President Joe Biden held a summit with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Taiwan was hit by its strongest earthquake in 25 years during rush hour on Wednesday, with nine dead, 50 missing, and over 800 injuries reported.

The colorful former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, stepped up an already bitter feud with his successor Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday by accusing him of seeking dictatorial power.

The Chinese Communist government sent a threatening message to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., on Tuesday, warning that he was “playing with fire” by congratulating William Lai Ching-te for winning Taiwan’s presidential election over the weekend.

The Philippine military accused China of taking “excessive and offensive actions” against a supply ship on its way to the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea Sunday.

U.S. and Philippine pilots launched a joint training exercise called Cope Thunder on Monday, flying together for the first time in over 30 years as a Cold War-era bilateral fighter training program was renewed in the face of Chinese aggression.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday accused a Chinese ship of attacking a Philippine ship called BRP Malapascua with a powerful laser during a resupply mission, temporary blinding some of the crew.

Philippine Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez announced on Thursday that American forces will be granted more extensive access to Philippine military bases, adding four sites to the five already available to the U.S. for training, equipment storage, and infrastructure upgrades.
