COMMENTARY: The public should not be too alarmed of the Chinese claims over the northern part of the country. Unlike the government’s incoherent posture in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has a more structured and disciplined approach to countering Chinese moves in the Batanes Group of Islands and with elements of a viable “denial strategy” in play.

COMMENTARY:The Philippines has long sought a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, with the aim of averting conflict in these waters. But as tensions with China rise, it looks unlikely to succeed. Manila is shifting toward other means of defending its maritime interests.

COMMENTARY:The Sara defense team was on a rampage to destroy John Mark S. Calilung, Investigation Agent III of the National Bureau of Investigation… But why must Calilung's testimony be destroyed? It is not only because it is an expert testimony. If it stands the test of truth, it has the potential of opening the floodgates to a Sara Duterte conviction.