US and Philippines Collaborate on New Initiative to Curb South China Sea Aggression

The United States and the Philippines have jointly introduced a strategic initiative to deter hostile actions in the South China Sea (SCS). At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, in partnership with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., unveiled the “Task Force Philippines”. The formation of this task force marks a significant step in regional security cooperation aimed at ensuring stability and freedom of navigation in the disputed waters. INTERNATIONAL Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors responded to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release. Rejecting Duterte’s claims of…