• Defense budget needs 2% of GDP to be at par with Asean – military

The Philippine government should increase its defense spending to at least 2 percent of the country’s growth domestic product (GDP) to increase the readiness of its armed forces and keep up with its neighbors in the region

• PCG receives patrol boat from Japan to boost PH’s maritime security missions

A patrol boat that aims to aid the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in its anti-terrorism and anti-piracy missions was handed over by the Embassy of Japan to the Philippines.

• Preliminary contract for new PH Navy warships signed in South Korea

The Navy chief says they’re figuring out where to get the P28 billion to buy a pair of brand new corvettes, which will be the Philippines’ most powerful warships – if the plan pushes through

• DND to reconsider AFP deal with China-backed telco after Senate review

The Department of National Defense (DND) will reconsider its position on the co-location agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and China-backed telco Dito Telecommunity, after senators flagged serious cybersecurity concerns they found when they reviewed the deal’s documents

• PH Navy to build Fuga Island outpost ahead of Chinese ‘smart city’ plan

The Philippine Navy and the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) on Wednesday, November 14, formalized a plan to build a naval detachment on Fuga Island in Cagayan province, where a Chinese company plans to build a “smart city.”

• SoKor torpedoes to beef up PH Navy’s anti-sub capability

This as the South Korean-made LIG Nex1 “Blue Shark” lightweight torpedoes, which will serve as the primary weapon of the two Leonardo AW-159 “Wildcat” anti-submarine helicopters acquired by the Navy, are now in the country.

• PNP just got new helicopter and drone fleets

In a boost to its surveillance, firepower, and mobility, the Philippine National Police (PNP) obtained 5 helicopters, a fleet of drones, land vehicles, and a stockpile of firearms worth P3 billion.

• Vietnamese, Philippine young officers bolster exchange

Young officers of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the Philippine armed forces gathered at an activity in Hanoi on November 18 to share experience and enhance exchange

• PRRD vows to sustain DND modernization

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday vowed to sustain the modernization program of the Department of National Defense (DND) as he thanked the country’s troops for defending the country against threats

• China could ‘turn off power’ in the Philippines, senate hears

“We have given our grid – although 40% it appears – to a foreign corporation that has interests that collide with our country in the West Philippine Sea,” said Senator Richard Gordon, using the Philippine name for the eastern parts of the South China Sea.

• PHL Navy’s first ‘highly capable’ warship to begin sea trials

The first of two “multi-mission capable” frigates acquired by the Philippine Navy is set to begin its sea trials on Saturday to ensure that it meets the required standards prior to its delivery to the Philippines.

• Indonesia, PHL hold 1st navy-to-navy maritime training

Indonesia and the Philippines are holding the first joint Maritime Training Activity (MTA) this week involving naval forces to strengthen security measures in shared maritime borders