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Philippine Coast Guard

The latest news and top stories on Philippine Coast Guard. A prominent Manila-based governmental body, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is the Philippines’ third armed uniformed service, attached to the Department of Transportation. Its primary mission encompasses maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime safety, and marine environmental protection. The PCG is crucial for safeguarding life and property at sea, enforcing laws within Philippine waters, and protecting marine resources. It plays a vital role in asserting national maritime interests, notably in the West Philippine Sea, and is undergoing significant modernisation.

Thitu residents fish off the island. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem

Gemelyn Amlang poses with her daughter inside a primary school in Thitu. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem

Thitu residents relax inside a covered court. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem

Primary school students head home in Thitu. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem

The Philippines

What does Philippines seek with new Thitu map in South China Sea?

By publishing coordinates, charts and the legitimate basis of its position, the Philippines is aiming to reduce legal ambiguity, experts say.

2 Oct 2026 - 11:43AMvideocam

The Philippines

Philippine coastguard warns ‘we will run out of ships’ as budget cuts bite

30 Sep 2026 - 1:03PM

South China Sea

Collision near Sabina Shoal sparks fresh escalation between China, Philippines

18 Sep 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

Taiwan

Taipei donates coastguard vessel to Manila amid South China Sea tensions

As it faces off against Beijing in the region, Manila has been expanding its unofficial security cooperation with Taipei.

17 Sep 2026 - 11:27PMvideocam

The Philippines

Bodies from Philippine ferry arrive at port after fire killed at least 76

There were 43 survivors among the 132 people on board.

12 Sep 2026 - 9:32PM

The Philippines

Death toll from Philippine ferry fire jumps to 35

Rescuers recover 30 bodies on Friday after managing to gain access to the vessel, which had caught fire on its way from Manila to Palawan.

11 Sep 2026 - 10:35PM

South China Sea

South China Sea: Manila says flares fired at aircraft near Subi, Mischief reefs

Philippine coastguard releases footage, accuses PLA of targeting the unarmed plane as it flew over Spratly Islands on Monday.

11 Sep 2026 - 3:36PMvideocam

Part of a video clip released by the Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday which it said was filmed by one of its aircraft. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

South China Sea

Beijing tells Manila to ‘stop lying’ after minister exposes South China Sea note

At Seoul Defence Dialogue, Gilberto Teodoro Jnr brands China’s handwritten memo on arbitration ruling as ‘coercion and bullying’.

10 Sep 2026 - 2:35PMvideocam

South China Sea

China confirms 2 deaths in Scarborough Shoal crash during Philippine ship chase

Beijing honours two coastguard personnel who died in a vessel collision in the South China Sea last year.

6 Aug 2026 - 10:33PMvideocam

The Philippines

Arrest of ‘fake Filipino’ sharpens concerns over security risks in key sectors

The case of Maxipro president Lawrence Ke Sy underscores a shift in how Philippine authorities approach national security, analysts say.

4 Aug 2026 - 7:20PMvideocam

Passengers line up for immigration at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, the Philippines. Photo: EPA-EFE

South China Sea

Beijing and Manila trade blame on second day of Scarborough Shoal clashes

Chinese coastguard use water cannon during maritime stand-off, the third with the Philippines in the South China Sea since Monday.

24 Jul 2026 - 8:43PMvideocam

The Philippines has accused China of “a series of water cannon attacks and dangerous manoeuvres” while the Chinese coastguard says its actions were "lawful". Photo: X/@jaytaryela

South China Sea

US coastguard cutters have a South China Sea mission. Will it make a difference?

The vessels will take part in maritime security operations with regional partners in the western Pacific.

16 Jul 2026 - 8:39PMvideocam

South China Sea

China and Philippines in rare naval stand-off near disputed Scarborough Shoal

Media outlet says incident coincided with end of Salaknib 2026 joint military exercise also involving US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

23 Jun 2026 - 6:31PMvideocam

The Philippines

Philippines taps ‘smarter, cheaper’ Australian drones to deter China

The underwater drones could enhance Manila’s capability to record Beijing’s intrusion in its waters, analysts say.

19 Jun 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Australia has provided the Philippine coastguard with additional aerial and undersea drones to support its modernisation. Photo: Facebook/Australia in the Philippines

South China Sea

Mystery platform? China says it was carrying out research at Scarborough Shoal

Announcement comes after Manila lodged diplomatic protest over ‘illegal presence’ of a floating structure at the disputed atoll.

11 Jun 2026 - 11:59AMvideocam

A Chinese research institute says it deployed a floating platform at Scarborough Shoal for environmental monitoring and sampling. Photo: Handout via Reuters

South China Sea

Why the largest-ever US-Philippine drill, and Japan’s role, makes China uneasy

The scale of this year’s Balikatan exercise has been described as part of a trend that will ‘exacerbate regional instability’.

23 May 2026 - 7:53PMvideocam

South China Sea

Chinese scientists land on Sandy Cay as tensions with Philippines spike again

Manila says it sent a plane over the South China Sea reef in an effort to ‘drive away’ those carrying out ‘unauthorised’ research activity.

18 May 2026 - 8:11PMvideocam

South China Sea

Why is a Chinese research ship a flashpoint with Philippines in South China Sea?

Beijing and Manila trade accusations after incident near Iroquois Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands this week.

8 May 2026 - 9:03PMvideocam

Manila says China’s Xiang Yang Hong 33 vessel, pictured, was monitored carrying out “unauthorised” marine scientific research operations in the western part of Iroquois Reef on Wednesday. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

The Philippines

Philippines strengthens South China Sea grip with permanent base on Thitu Island

The island, known locally as Pagasa, is home to about 400 Filipinos, whom China accuses of living there illegally.

9 Apr 2026 - 2:25PM

The Philippines

‘Deliberate signal’: Philippines elevates officer amid South China Sea tensions

Analysts say Marcos is doubling down on the country’s ‘transparency initiative’ while engaging Beijing diplomatically behind closed doors.

2 Mar 2026 - 9:17PMvideocam

The Philippines

Art as advocacy: Philippine mural contest adds to South China Sea messaging push

The government-backed drive is the latest in a series of creative campaigns aiming to shape public narrative around the maritime dispute.

23 Feb 2026 - 5:41PMvideocam

Members of the Philippine Navy take part in a collaborative colouring activity during the launch of the nationwide mural contest on February 10. Photo: Raissa Robles

South China Sea

Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

China and the Philippines are both signalling openness to diplomacy alongside continued military flexing, but this may not be sustainable.

16 Feb 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

China-Philippines relations

Amid Chinese embassy row, Philippines eyes boosting Spratlys population

Filipino leaders from Kalayaan and Chinese embassy officials in Manila have clashed over entry bans for personnel on either side.

12 Feb 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

The Philippines

Leaked letter spotlights Philippines’ South China Sea tug of war

The letter by Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro warns against public exchanges that could narrow the country’s ‘diplomatic space’.

11 Feb 2026 - 9:55PMvideocam

The Philippines

Calls grow for tougher rules to track foreign-paid ‘trolls’ in Philippines

Retired justice says updating the Foreign Agents Act will help deter individuals from espousing pro-Beijing content.

4 Feb 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

The Philippines

New gas find prompts Philippines to step up defence of energy frontier

The move to boost security around Malampaya East-1 is seen as a test case for protecting future offshore energy projects in contested waters.

28 Jan 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Drilling of the Malampaya East-1 reservoir in Palawan province, Philippines, on January 19. Photo: Prime Energy via AP

South China Sea

Video | Parents lose baby in Philippine ferry sinking

More than 350 were on board the inter-island ferry from Zamboanga when it sank on its way to Jolo island.

27 Jan 2026 - 1:14PM

The Philippines

At least 18 dead after ferry sinks in southern Philippines

More than 350 were on board the inter-island ferry from Zamboanga to Jolo island when it apparently encountered technical problems and sank.

27 Jan 2026 - 1:21PMvideocam

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Philippine Coast Guard

What does Philippines seek with new Thitu map in South China Sea?

By publishing coordinates, charts and the legitimate basis of its position, the Philippines is aiming to reduce legal ambiguity, experts say.

Philippine coastguard warns ‘we will run out of ships’ as budget cuts bite

Collision near Sabina Shoal sparks fresh escalation between China, Philippines

Taipei donates coastguard vessel to Manila amid South China Sea tensions

As it faces off against Beijing in the region, Manila has been expanding its unofficial security cooperation with Taipei.

Bodies from Philippine ferry arrive at port after fire killed at least 76

There were 43 survivors among the 132 people on board.

Death toll from Philippine ferry fire jumps to 35

Rescuers recover 30 bodies on Friday after managing to gain access to the vessel, which had caught fire on its way from Manila to Palawan.

South China Sea: Manila says flares fired at aircraft near Subi, Mischief reefs

Philippine coastguard releases footage, accuses PLA of targeting the unarmed plane as it flew over Spratly Islands on Monday.

Beijing tells Manila to ‘stop lying’ after minister exposes South China Sea note

At Seoul Defence Dialogue, Gilberto Teodoro Jnr brands China’s handwritten memo on arbitration ruling as ‘coercion and bullying’.

China confirms 2 deaths in Scarborough Shoal crash during Philippine ship chase

Beijing honours two coastguard personnel who died in a vessel collision in the South China Sea last year.

Arrest of ‘fake Filipino’ sharpens concerns over security risks in key sectors

The case of Maxipro president Lawrence Ke Sy underscores a shift in how Philippine authorities approach national security, analysts say.

Beijing and Manila trade blame on second day of Scarborough Shoal clashes

Chinese coastguard use water cannon during maritime stand-off, the third with the Philippines in the South China Sea since Monday.

US coastguard cutters have a South China Sea mission. Will it make a difference?

The vessels will take part in maritime security operations with regional partners in the western Pacific.

China and Philippines in rare naval stand-off near disputed Scarborough Shoal

Media outlet says incident coincided with end of Salaknib 2026 joint military exercise also involving US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

Philippines taps ‘smarter, cheaper’ Australian drones to deter China

The underwater drones could enhance Manila’s capability to record Beijing’s intrusion in its waters, analysts say.

Mystery platform? China says it was carrying out research at Scarborough Shoal

Announcement comes after Manila lodged diplomatic protest over ‘illegal presence’ of a floating structure at the disputed atoll.

Why the largest-ever US-Philippine drill, and Japan’s role, makes China uneasy

The scale of this year’s Balikatan exercise has been described as part of a trend that will ‘exacerbate regional instability’.

Chinese scientists land on Sandy Cay as tensions with Philippines spike again

Manila says it sent a plane over the South China Sea reef in an effort to ‘drive away’ those carrying out ‘unauthorised’ research activity.

Why is a Chinese research ship a flashpoint with Philippines in South China Sea?

Beijing and Manila trade accusations after incident near Iroquois Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands this week.

Philippines strengthens South China Sea grip with permanent base on Thitu Island

The island, known locally as Pagasa, is home to about 400 Filipinos, whom China accuses of living there illegally.

‘Deliberate signal’: Philippines elevates officer amid South China Sea tensions

Analysts say Marcos is doubling down on the country’s ‘transparency initiative’ while engaging Beijing diplomatically behind closed doors.

Art as advocacy: Philippine mural contest adds to South China Sea messaging push

The government-backed drive is the latest in a series of creative campaigns aiming to shape public narrative around the maritime dispute.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

China and the Philippines are both signalling openness to diplomacy alongside continued military flexing, but this may not be sustainable.

Amid Chinese embassy row, Philippines eyes boosting Spratlys population

Filipino leaders from Kalayaan and Chinese embassy officials in Manila have clashed over entry bans for personnel on either side.

Leaked letter spotlights Philippines’ South China Sea tug of war

The letter by Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro warns against public exchanges that could narrow the country’s ‘diplomatic space’.

Calls grow for tougher rules to track foreign-paid ‘trolls’ in Philippines

Retired justice says updating the Foreign Agents Act will help deter individuals from espousing pro-Beijing content.

New gas find prompts Philippines to step up defence of energy frontier

The move to boost security around Malampaya East-1 is seen as a test case for protecting future offshore energy projects in contested waters.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Parents lose baby in Philippine ferry sinking

More than 350 were on board the inter-island ferry from Zamboanga when it sank on its way to Jolo island.

At least 18 dead after ferry sinks in southern Philippines

More than 350 were on board the inter-island ferry from Zamboanga to Jolo island when it apparently encountered technical problems and sank.

Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

Video | Parents lose baby in Philippine ferry sinking