MANUEL “MANNY” P. MOGATO is Editor-at-Large and opinion writer, writing under the column “In the Trenches.” As Reuters Manila correspondent, he and two other colleagues won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 2018 for their coverage of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Is the US ready to go to war over the West Philippine Sea?
The United States has reaffirmed many times its “ironclad” commitment to help defend the Philippines, its oldest ally in the region, in case of an attack on its vessel, aircraft, or personnel anywhere in the Pacific, including the West Philippine Sea.
Invoking the Mutual Defense Treaty
China’s Coast Guard had intercepted and prevented a small Philippine indigenous boat from bringing food and fresh water to troops stationed aboard a naval transport vessel stuck in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Typhoon: Dark clouds hang over the region
Earlier this month, a spokesman for China’s defense ministry slammed its rival, the United States, for deploying its new “Typhoon” missile launcher system in the northern Philippines.
The United Kingdom’s strategic interest in the Indo-Pacific region
The British Royal Navy, in a significant strategic move, has announced plans to deploy one of its two aircraft carriers to the Indo-Pacific region next year.
Duterte’s options when the ICC arrest warrant is served
As Rodrigo Duterte faces imminent arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, a former senator sees three potential scenarios.
