Analysts say the Dutertes have not always followed through with their announcements for candidacies for certain posts.

The soldiers reportedly used their bare hands to fend off armed coastguard personnel in the South China Sea clash. One man lost a thumb.

Activists say Leila de Lima’s vindication shows investigators must press ahead with probe of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.

Defence chief Teodoro says the move should not be construed as ‘seeking permission’ to perform their duties in the West Philippine Sea.

Type 072 and Type 073 vessels practised berthing and rescue in exercise that also assessed anti-drone capabilities.

The Philippine president told troops over the weekend that his country was ‘not in the business’ of instigating wars.

The Philippine VP’s cabinet exit has fuelled rumours she’ll take a run at the top job in 2028 – much to the actual opposition’s chagrin.

The president said Manila ‘will not resort to the use of force or intimidation’ to settle the maritime dispute in the waterway.

She is expected to field her own congressional candidates to challenge Marcos-backed politicians in next year’s midterm elections.

Analysts say the move is ‘long overdue’ and signals that the Duterte family is ready to ‘go all out’ in its feud with Marcos Jnr.

Analysts say the South China Sea clash is unlikely to trigger Washington’s involvement but advise Manila to start talking tactics.

Thousands of drug suspects were killed by police and unknown gunmen in a campaign that became the centrepiece of President Rodrigo Duterte’s 2016-2022 rule.

Analysts accuse Beijing of using cognitive warfare to destabilise the Philippines’ political landscape amid their South China Sea row.

Amid Chinese fears grounded Philippine ship will be fortified, Beijing says coastguard intervened in effort to deliver construction material.

The move is aimed at asserting Manila’s exclusive rights to resources in the Western Palawan region.

The demonstration, involving the destruction of an effigy of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, comes on the eve of a new rule for China to arrest alleged trespassers in disputed waters.

Analysts warn of armed conflict as Beijing continues to push a strategy to provoke other nations to be “first to fire”.

Civil libertarians say President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s pledge order is a violation of the law covering the use of national symbols.

‘The external threat now has become more pronounced … that is why we have to prepare’, the Philippine president told troops near Taiwan.

Analysts said it was the first time military action was favoured over diplomacy as a potential solution to the territorial dispute.

Manila says it “will not be deterred by foreign interference or intimidation” regarding its supply missions in the disputed waterways.

The Philippines should diversify its economy and lessen trade reliance on China, analysts say.

Toshi Yoshihara, an American expert who’s set to brief Malaysia’s armed forces on China’s military, said prioritising short-term trade benefits over addressing the territorial conflict could cost Kuala Lumpur dearly in the long run.

Chinese foreign ministry says Washington has played ‘extremely dishonourable role’ by supporting Manila’s ‘abusive acts’ in disputed waters after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr takes swipe in speech at Shangri-La Dialogue.

Philippine president’s stance on Ukraine-Russia war has pivoted from a neutral approach held when he was campaigning for office.

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr told the Shangri-La Dialogue that Manila would ‘do whatever it takes to protect our sovereign home’.