⚖️Philippines, Australia reject China’s ‘troublemaker’ claim amid joint drills in West Philippine Sea
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Philippines, Australia reject China’s ‘troublemaker’ claim amid joint drills in West Philippine Sea
The Philippines and Australia pushed back Friday against China’s accusation that Manila is the “troublemaker” in the South China Sea, as both countries concluded large-scale naval exercises with allies near Scarborough Shoal.
The drills, known as Exercise ALON 2025, involved 3,600 troops from the Philippines, Australia, the United States, and Canada, showcasing combined maritime and air capabilities within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Chinese defense officials accused Manila of undermining stability by inviting foreign partners into the contested waters. But Philippine military leaders said the training was purely for territorial defense and interoperability.
“We are doing freedom of navigation exercises and we have not done anything wrong,” said Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo Jr. of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Australian commanders echoed that stance, stressing it is “normal for allies and partners to train together.” Despite Chinese vessels nearby, officials said the drills proceeded without interference.
China, not Vietnam, poses real threat in West Philippine Sea, says Coast Guard
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said Thursday that while Vietnam has expanded reclamation in the Spratlys, it has not engaged in the “bullying” tactics China routinely uses against Filipino vessels. Tarriela stressed that Beijing’s harassment of Philippine Coast Guard, military, and fishing boats — including lasers, water cannons, and ramming — makes China the “clearest and most dangerous” threat in the West Philippine Sea.
He contrasted Vietnam’s activities with China’s record of seizing new features, noting that Hanoi has occupied its areas for decades without aggressive actions against the Philippines. In contrast, China took control of Mischief Reef in 1995 and Scarborough Shoal in 2012, moves widely viewed as breaches of regional agreements. Tarriela said any focus away from Beijing risks undermining efforts to defend Filipino sovereignty and maritime rights.
His comments came as a Philstar.com investigation found bot networks attempting to shift the narrative by portraying Vietnam as the main threat. The online campaign produced nearly 1,000 posts attacking Hanoi’s reclamation while downplaying China’s far larger operations. Military officials described the disinformation effort as a “national security concern” aimed at distracting from China’s aggression in Philippine waters.
Sid Lucero calls West Philippine Sea short film ‘most important’ of his career
Sid Lucero, an actor, called his new four-minute movie "Alon ng Kabayanihan" the "most important" project of his career. He said that the short movie about tensions in the West Philippine Sea is more important than any of his previous roles. The Centre for International Relations and Strategic Studies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Coast Guard worked together to make the movie. It came out on National Heroes Day.
Lucero, who is part of the Eigenmann acting family, said that at first he treated the project like any other until he talked to people who were directly affected by the maritime dispute. He said, "You realise, 'Whoa, this is not a joke,'" remembering how the stories of soldiers and fishermen helped him understand the issue better. Kevin Mayuga directed the movie, which shows the sacrifices that come with protecting Philippine waters.
He said that the project made him want to make more movies that are more than just entertainment and deal with issues that affect the whole country. "I think this is probably the most important one in my whole career." Lucero told reporters, "It was an instant yes."
Philippines’ Red Lines: Ayungin Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc
Some sectors were panicking when China sent a tug boat to Ayungin Shoal, a low-tide elevation in the West Philippine Sea, where a rusting Philippine Navy transport vessel ran aground more than a quarter of a century ago.
They feared China might tow away the BRP Sierra Madre, an active naval vessel, a lonely outpost that guards the Philippines’ national interests in the West Philippine Sea.
De Lima Urges Marcos Administration to Raise West Philippine Sea Issue at UN General Assembly. Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima filed House Resolution No. 192 urging President Marcos' administration to seek a United Nations General Assembly resolution compelling China to respect Philippine sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea and cease hostile activities in the disputed waters.
Senator Tulfo Urges Philippines to Reconsider One China Policy Over West Philippine Sea Harassment. Senator Erwin Tulfo called for the Philippines to reconsider its One China Policy during a Senate foreign relations hearing, arguing that China's continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and military personnel in the West Philippine Sea shows lack of respect despite the Philippines' diplomatic support for Beijing's territorial claims over Taiwan.
Palace: China Cannot Stop Philippines from Asserting West Philippine Sea Rights. Malacañang declared that China cannot prevent the Philippines from asserting its territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea, responding to Beijing's criticism of joint military exercises with Australia and labeling the Philippines as a "disruptor and troublemaker" in the region.
Philippine-Australian Forces Simulate Island Recapture Near South China Sea in Exercise ALON 2025. Philippine and Australian forces conducted Exercise ALON 2025 with over 3,600 personnel, including a major amphibious assault simulation involving 1,000 troops storming San Vicente, Palawan shores to demonstrate island recapture capabilities near the contested South China Sea.
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