Asia-Pacific Insights | Substack

Philippine news

Germany seeking closer defense ties with Philippines

Germany will begin negotiations of a status of forces agreement with the Philippines, a step in joining military exercises and training to boost…

11 hrs ago • Asia-Pacific Insights and Manuel Mogato

President Marcos orders investigation on shooting incident at the Senate

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an investigation into a shooting incident at the Senate building, where a fugitive senator holed up to evade…

May 13 • Asia-Pacific Insights and Manuel Mogato

Lower House impeaches Vice President Duterte

The House of Representatives has impeached the vice president for the second time with a vote of 257, approving the justice panel’s committee report and…

May 12 • Asia-Pacific Insights and Manuel Mogato

Philippines get second Offshore Patrol Vessel from South Korea

Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Jose Espeleta, said the arrival of the second OPV, BRP Rajah Lakandula, “signifies another milestone in the Navy’s ongoing…

May 10 • Asia-Pacific Insights and Manuel Mogato

Regional news

Indonesia may acquire an aircraft carrier from Italy

Indonesian officials said the donation would be more time-efficient and cost-effective than buying a new ship, and could be useful for humanitarian and…

May 3 • Asia-Pacific Insights and Manuel Mogato

Australia signs frigate agreement with Japan

The frigate contract, worth $6.5 billion, was signed during a high-level Australia-Japan defense ministers meeting.

Apr 29 • Asia-Pacific Insights

US, Indonesia sign defense agreement

The agreement deepens practical military ties in modernization, training and operations while preserving full Indonesian sovereignty and avoiding any…

Apr 24 • Asia-Pacific Insights and Manuel Mogato

Tokyo relaxes restrictions on weapons transfers

The new rules will now allow Japan to export vessels and missiles to countries in Southeast Asia, helping them strengthen deterrence against China’s…

Apr 23 • Asia-Pacific Insights and Manuel Mogato

Opinion

Strengths and Vulnerabilities in Today’s Regional Hotspots

Expensive weapons does not ensure victory, with drones and missiles giving countries like Ukraine and Iran a fighting chance against bigger adversaries…

May 13 • Asia-Pacific Insights and Dencio Acop

Take-aways from Balikatan 2026

Balikatan 2026 was more than just a testing ground to use latest technologies under a centralized command — it was also sending China a message, veteran…

May 12 • Asia-Pacific Insights and Rodney Jaleco

Securing China’s ‘front door’: Peacemaking mission in mainland Southeast Asia

China's pursuit to become a "subtle mediator" for its Southeast Asian allies in conflict while maintaining neutrality is a delicate balancing act, Thai…

May 12 • Asia-Pacific Insights

Asia-Pacific Insights

Asia-Pacific Insights

Asia-Pacific Insights is a biweekly news and opinion website based in Manila, Philippines. We focus on defense, security, diplomacy and geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific region.

Statements

PH calls for clarity, decisiveness, unity for ASEAN to surmount challenges

In a similar statement, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro rallied for ASEAN unity to weather current challenges as it did in the…

May 8 • Asia-Pacific Insights

ASEAN, EU Leaders push stronger sustainability cooperation amid energy crisis

Finance Secretary Go also described the proposed EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement as the country’s “most important economic agreement this year."

May 8

President Marcos says Cambodia, Thailand reached agreements, discussed ways forward in talks arranged by the Philippines

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday said Cambodia and Thailand made progress during talks facilitated through the good offices of the…

May 8

Cebu a fitting place to hold ASEAN Summit — PBBM

“More than just playing a vital role in shaping the history of the country, Cebu stood witness to regional advancements that made ASEAN what it is…

May 8

Special reports

The Philippines as ASEAN Chair Should Build Bridges of Cooperation Through a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea

The Philippines risks tarnishing its credibility as a regional leader, as well as ASEAN's reputation, should the COC remain unresolved this year…

May 6 • Asia-Pacific Insights

Philippines: Political jockeying and violence before the 2025 elections in BARMM

IPAC report: Political violence is likely to worsen, particularly in central Mindanao, as village elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in…

May 5, 2024 • Asia-Pacific Insights

Culture

IN PHOTOS: Lunar New Year in Binondo

In the oldest Chinatown in the world, the Lunar New Year is celebrated in a mix of Filipino and Chinese cultures.

Feb 10, 2024 • Asia-Pacific Insights

PRESS RELEASE | CCP forges ahead in 2024 with expanded festivals, reloaded programs amid ongoing rehabilitation of main building

For 2024, it will be business as usual with CCP’s biggest project to date – the rehabilitation of the iconic Main Building.

Feb 1, 2024 • Asia-Pacific Insights

Asia-Pacific Insights

Asia-Pacific Insights is a biweekly news and opinion website based in Manila, Philippines. We focus on defense, security, diplomacy and geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific region.

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