NEWS UPDATE: Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo visits Malaysia, Thailand 

The DFA just announced that Sec Manalo will be leading the delegation for the 8th Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) today, October 16. 

According to the DFA: “The 8th PH-MY JCM will provide a valuable opportunity to review the progress of bilateral cooperation since the last JCM was conducted in Manila in 2011. During the JCM, the Secretary and the Foreign Minister will discuss matters of mutual interest to both countries and the Southeast Asian region. While in Malaysia, the Secretary will also be attending a diplomatic reception hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Malaysia to celebrate the 60 years of bilateral relations of both countries.”

A few things to think about: Malaysia is a co-claimant to the South China Sea, and will be chair of ASEAN in 2025. It’s one of the countries with whom the Philippines is trying to negotiate a Maritime Cooperation agreement (similar to ones Manila has signed with Brunei and Vietnam). It’s an agreement that’s hoped to avoid miscommunications out at sea. 

After Malaysia, Manalo will be in Thailand for an official visit, where he will co-chair the Ministerial Meeting of the 6th Philippines-Thailand Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation. @here

https://news.usni.org/2024/10/16/u-s-and-philippines-hold-naval-drills-with-allies-in-the-south-china-sea

Anti-submarine warfare. Now I would love to visualize that.

First few photos from another joint exercise: Kamandag (between the Marines of the Philippines, US, and other countries). @here

Release from the Philippine Marines says a combined landing force from PMC’s 3rd Marine Brigade and Combat Support Brigade, USMC’s Battalion Landing Team 1/5 and PN’s Naval Construction Brigade conducted an Amphibious Assault Exercise at Long Point, Brgy Apurawan, Aborlan, Palawan on 16 October 2024.

This year’s iteration will be participated by the following countries: Japan, Australia, South Korea, and UK. It also involves the participation of the following forces as observers: French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps and Indonesian Kor Marinir.

Indeed 🤔

NEWS UPDATE: DFA statement on "actions that endangers the safety and security of UN Peacekeepers"

DFA Statement

“The Philippines strongly condemns any action that endangers the safety and security of UN Peacekeepers as they fulfill their mandate in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

We urge all UN Member States to uphold their obligations under international law and ensure that peacekeepers are permitted to carry out their critical work. Violations of peacekeeping mandates undermine the rules-based international order and destabilize regions where peace efforts are most needed.

We reaffirm our commitment to multilateral cooperation for the promotion of international peace and security."

In relation to this, shamelessly sharing an old article that was a joy to work on and write.

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/philippine-marines-4th-brigade-comes-home/

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-says-leader-yahya-sinwar-killed-2024-10-18/

Not surprised that the MBLT-4 is the PMC battalion assigned up north. They are among the most formidable marine battalions within the PMC. It is also MBLT-4 that is assigned as the Marine Security Battalion of the PMC tasked with littoral operations. They are also the ones who retrained MBLT-9 and MBLT-6 as Marine Amphibious Ready Units in accordance with the PMC's Archipelagic Coastal Defense Concept.

Wrote about a very interesting press briefing for earlier this month — a bipartisan delegation of American lawmakers visited the Philippines. They flew over the South China Sea, met with defense/military officials, politicians, and media.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/view-manila-brat-summer-anxious-fall-united-states-decides-next-president/

President Marcos to grace the anniversary of the PCG at the Port Area of Manila.