US-Philippines defense officials discuss concerns over China’s ships
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday discussed with his Philippine counterpart China’s recent positioning of “militia vessels” near the Philippines in the South China Sea.
By Robert Burns, The Associated Press
Effort underway to identify ‘unknown’ World War II troops who were buried in the Philippines
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recently conducted an “honorable carry” ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for about 40 sets of unidentified remains.
Pentagon chief announces delivery of anti-bomb, snipers’ equipment during visit to Philippines
Talks between Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller and the Philippine defense and foreign secretaries centered on "deepening our alliance and supporting a free and open South China Sea and Indo-Pacific region."
Excerpt from ‘Rock Force’ on the retaking of Corregidor during World War II
In this excerpt from Kevin Maurer’s 2020 book “Rock Force,” we meet Pvt. Lloyd McCarter as he and the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment prepare for the airborne assault in February 1945.
By Kevin Maurer
Philippines deports US Marine pardoned in 2014 transgender killing
A U.S. Marine convicted of killing a Filipino transgender woman was deported Sunday after a presidential pardon cut short his detention in a case that renewed outrage over a pact governing American military presence in the Philippines.
Philippines blocks release of US Marine convicted in killing of transgender Filipino woman
The court order has rekindled perceptions that American military personnel who run afoul of Philippine laws can get special treatment under the allies’ Visiting Forces Agreement.
Philippine court orders early release for US Marine convicted in 2014 killing
A Philippine court has ordered the early release for good conduct of a U.S. Marine convicted in the 2014 killing of a transgender Filipino which sparked anger in the former American colony.
COVID-19 is an ‘ally’ for ISIS in the Philippines, DoD report finds
The strength and influence of extremist groups in the Philippines have remained unchanged, despite U.S. support since 2017, according to a DoD report.
By Alyk Russell Kenlan
US rejects nearly all Chinese claims in South China Sea
The Trump administration escalated its actions against China on Monday by stepping squarely into one of the most sensitive regional issues dividing them and rejecting outright nearly all of Beijing’s significant maritime claims in the South China Sea.
By Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press