Author: Mark Arellano

Philippines is among the nations considered as potential exporters of next-generation Korean fighter KF-21 “Boramae” (Hawk) by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). During the unveiling event on April 9 for the first prototype of KF-21, the fighter aircraft was lit up with flags of nations believed to be potential users including the Philippine flag. The Philippine […]

“We view with grave concern the presence of 220 Chinese militia boats in the Julian Felipe Reef (internationally known as Whitsun Reef, located within Union Reefs) in the West Philippine Sea. This is a clear provocative action of militarizing the area. These are territories well within Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental Shelf (CS) […]

Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) commandant Major General Ariel Caculitan visited the Marines guarding Fuga Island in northern Philippines on March 10. The PMC said Major General Caculitan “visited the Marines manning the geographically isolated Fuga Island to boost their morale and inspire them to be the representative of the best in soldiery in that part […]

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has started the training of its officers who will operate the soon to be delivered SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) ground-based air defense system (GBADS) from Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. According to report of Frances Mangosing in Inquirer.net, Lieutenant Colonel Generoso Bautista and Lieutenant Colonel Emerson Bermeo, the group commander […]

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) today, February 9 destroyed 10 luxury vehicles “to serve as a warning to unscrupulous individuals in the illegal importation of vehicles,” BOC said. The destruction of forfeited vehicles was led by Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero. The event was conducted during the bureau’s 119th founding anniversary celebration at Port Area, […]

The Philippine Navy’s future frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) was sent off today, February 5 in South Korea en route to Philippines. Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attache (DAFA) in South Korea led the sent off ceremony. FF151 is expected to arrive in Subic on February 10. Future BRP Antonio Luna is the sistership of BRP Jose […]

The Australian government has selected the AH-64E Apache Guardian for Australian Army’s armed reconnaissance helicopter (ARH) requirement. The Apache Guardian is expected to replace Australian Army’s ARH starting 2025. “This new ARH capability will strengthen Australia’s armed reconnaissance force to better shape our strategic environment and deter actions against our national interest,” Minister for Defence, Senator […]

The Philippines and China have a commercial contract for the Subic-Clark Railway Project worth $940 million, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said on January 16. “Our cooperation continues! China and the Philippines just signed the commercial contract for the Subic-Clark railway project. This is so far the highest funded G2G project between the two countries […]

The Japanese government, through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), released 10 billion yen to Philippines government as second tranche disbursement under the Post-Disaster Stand-by Loan Phase 2 (PDSL 2) on January 5, 2021. “This assistance is expected to greatly contribute to the multifaceted and intensive efforts of the Government of the Philippines to redress the […]