Commentary

China announces operation of weather station in Spratlys prior to Xi’s Manila visit

By Ellen T. Tordesillas | Nov 05, 2018 11:14 PM

As Manila prepares for the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping two weeks from now, Beijing steps up its control of the Spratlys islands in South China Sea, the latest of which is the announcement that they have started the operation of a marine observation center in the artificial islands that they have built in areas that the Philippines and four other countries claim.

Fiery Cross, Mischief Reef, spratlys, Subi Reef

Commentary

Lost not ‘a single island’ but the whole of Spratlys

By Ellen T. Tordesillas | May 30, 2018 9:43 PM

Mischief Reef – lost under Ramos presidency
Scarborough Shoal – lost under Benigno Aquino III presidency
Spratlys including Sandy Cay- surrendered to China under Duterte presidency

South China Sea, spratlys

News

VERA FILES AT 10: 6 Philippine-occupied islands covered in Spratly agreements

By Yvonne T. Chua and Ellen Tordesillas | Apr 03, 2018 7:10 PM

10 years, 10 stories.

spratlys, vera files at 10

VFSightings of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island.jpg

Commentary

The Chinese threat to Pag-asa Island and our best defense

By Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo | Aug 22, 2017 9:59 PM

In order to answer how best to secure Philippine interests in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and West Philippine Sea (WPS), we should put it first in the context of where Philippine policy is. That policy, sadly, is both fragmented and incoherent, at best.

Pag-asa island, South China Sea, spratlys

Commentary

Justice Carpio sounds alarm on latest Chinese seizure of PH territory

By Ellen T. Tordesillas | Aug 21, 2017 3:19 AM

While the public was engrossed with the scandal of how 605 kilos of shabu from China worth P6.5 billion slipped through the Bureau of Custom and entertained by the Bautista vs Bautista family feud with a cameo role by President Duterte, a chunk of Philippine territory was being taken over by China.

Pag-asa island, Sandy Cay, South China Sea, spratlys

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Secrecretary Alan Peter Cayetano.jpg

Commentary

No ASEAN role in Scarborough conflict between PH and China

By Ellen T. Tordesillas | Aug 16, 2017 7:58 AM

The agreed framework for a Code on South China Sea was the most important achievement of the recently-concluded meeting of the foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations which segued to more meetings with its dialogue partners and the Asean Regional Forum.

ASEAN50, Scarborough shoal, South China Sea, spratlys

Deng xiaoping and Cory Aquino People's Daily Online April 16, 1988.jpg

Commentary Editor's Pick

China’s concept of setting aside sovereignty dispute for joint exploration of Spratlys

By Ellen T. Tordesillas | Aug 01, 2017 11:22 AM

Asked during his press conference last Wednesday when the talks about the joint exploration in Philippine territory that is also being claimed by China and other countries started, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano recalled the meeting of the late Deng Xiaoping with then President Corazon Aquino.

Cory Aquino, Deng Xiaoping, PH-China joint exploration, south china sea dispute, spratlys

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi July 2017.jpg

Commentary

The trade-off: Multi-billion dollar projects in exchange for Chinese exploration in PH EEZ

By Ellen T. Tordesillas | Jul 29, 2017 9:42 AM

From the fragmented information about the resumption of talks on joint exploration with China in the disputed parts of the Spratlys, what is emerging is a repeat of jumbo loans that the administration of Gloria Arroyo obtained from the Chinese government in 2004 in exchange for agreeing to allow China to explore within the country’s economic exclusive zone.

Alan Cayetano, PH-China joint exploration, Reed Bank, South China Sea, spratlys

Commentary

Justice Carpio’s E-book on South China Sea dispute

By Ellen T. Tordesillas | May 02, 2017 2:17 AM

The political winds have indeed shifted.

Antonio T. Carpio, South China Sea, spratlys, west philippine sea

Commentary

Recalling JMSU

By Ellen T. Tordesillas | Apr 27, 2017 11:13 PM

The Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking, JMSU for short, is back in the news.

JMSU, South China Sea, spratlys