US companies are interested in oil and gas projects in the Philippines, Manila’s energy chief said, as tensions with Beijing hamper exploration in disputed areas of the South China Sea.

Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Sunday, January 19, 2025. Today's episode is brought to you by Wilcon Depot, The Philippines' leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer—your Trusted Building Partner.

MANILA – The China Coast Guard’s (CCG) illegal incursion within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) has reached its 13th day Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. In a post over X,

The Philippine navy said on Friday its ships were holding drills near a contested shoal in the South China Sea, a day after Manila and Beijing agreed to seek common ground and find ways to cooperate despite ongoing disputes.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines accused China on Tuesday of intimidating its fishermen at a disputed South China Sea shoal, and normalizing an “illegal presence,” after Beijing sent its largest coast guard vessel into Manila’s maritime zone.

Chinese Coast Guard ships fire water cannons at Unaizah May 4, a Philippine Navy chartered vessel, conducting a routine resupply mission to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, on March 5, 2024, in the South China Sea. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

The latest news from the South China Sea was that the Philippine Navy was holding exercises around Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. This area has become a hotly-contested area between the Philippines and China.

A Philippine security official warned “all options are on the table” for Manila’s response to growing South China Sea aggression, including lawsuits.

The Philippines said Sunday it had deployed a coast guard ship to challenge Chinese patrol boats attempting to "alter the existing status quo" of the disputed South China Sea.

THE PHILIPPINES under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has filed 199 diplomatic protests against China, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, amid growing tensions in the South China. Last year,

The Philippines said it expressed “serious concern” over the presence of Chinese vessels near its shores during talks with China on their South China Sea dispute.