MANILA – Government troops killed nine members of a pro-Islamic State group in southern Philippines, the military said on Jan 27, including two suspects in a deadly blast at a Roman Catholic mass in Marawi city in December. Four soldiers were wounded during counter-terrorism operations on Jan 25 and 26 in Lanao del Sur province, the military said in a.
MANILA – The Philippines will develop islands in the South China Sea that it considers part of its territory to make them more habitable for troops, Manila's military chief, General Romeo Brawner, told reporters on Jan 15. The plans come amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China. Both countries claim territory in the South China Sea and have traded.
Although now crumbling with rust, the BRP Sierra Madre on Second Thomas Shoal remains an actively commissioned Philippine navy ship, meaning an attack on it would be an act of war.