China's Current Naval Strategy and the South China Sea Disputes: Maritime Security Dilemma in Philippines-China Relations

While the Philippines and China declared 2012 and 2013 as years of friendly exchanges between the two countries, they are currently at odds with each other due to continuing sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea. China’s growing maritime capability, a result of theimplementation of its current naval strategy, creates security anxieties in the Philippines. These security anxieties affect the present dynamics in Philippines-China relations. In the context ofthe South China Sea Disputes, the Philippines and China are now suffering a security dilemma, a tragic situation that creates enmity rather than amity in their relations. With their security dilemma, the Philippines and China are presently trapped in a “guessing game” situation, speculating on each other’s strategic intention. Finding ways to ameliorate this security dilemma is essential for both countries to promote cooperation rather than competition in theiroverall relationship.

Southeast Asian regionalisn and China's soft power strategy in global age1

This article examines Southeast Asian regionalism amidst globalization in the context of China’s soft power strategy in the region. This article contends that its model of regionalism allows Southeast Asia to cope with the challenges of globalization and provides countries in the region a louder and collective voice when dealing with major powers like China. While there seems to be a convergence of Southeast Asian regionalism and China’s use of soft power, this article identifies some pitfalls that limit the luster of China’s soft power appeal in the region

Tackling Abu Sayyaf : need to rethink strategies

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Abu Sayyaf Group continues its militant activities in the Southern Philippines and Sabah. There is a need to rethink strategies by both the Philippines and Malaysia to tackle the ASG more effectively.Published versio

Maritime Terrorism in Southeast Asia—The Abu Sayyaf Threat

The Abu Sayyaf group, originally devoted to the establishment of a radical Islamic state in the Philippines through terrorism, has been fragmented and reduced to banditry by the Philippine military response. Nonetheless, especially by virtue of its inherent maritime capability, it is an important part of the maritime terrorist threat facing Southeast Asia

Philippine security in the age of terror: National, regional, and global challenges in the post-9/11 world

As the twelfth most populous nation, the Philippines’ diverse religious and ethnic population makes it an ideal example of the changing tenet of what is deemed national security—post 9/11. Issues previously considered social or public are now viewed as security issues. Food production is now analyzed in the context of food security and environmental degradation is now a part of environmental security. This broadened perspective is not unique to the Philippines, but—thanks to the island nation’s long struggle with issues of Muslim radicalism, democracy, and globalization—it serves as a model worth studying. And no one is better positioned to take on this study than Rommel C. Banlaoi, Chairman and Executive Director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence, and Terrorism Research. © 2010 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Duterte Presidency: Shift in Philippine-China Relations?

The rise of Rodrigo Duterte as the Philippines’ new president promises to have an impact on the South China Sea dispute between Manila and Beijing. Will he change Manila’s stance towards China or will he be as hardline as his campaign rhetoric suggested