New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
NSTP | #Philippines
The DND’s proposed NEP 2027 highlights key challenges in AFP modernization during senate hearing: funding gaps, defense loans, infrastructure, operational readiness, cyber defense, and budget accountability. The priority is turning spending into capability.
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
Many challenges raised during the Oct. 19 DND hearing have been discussed on this account since Q1 of 2026. It is encouraging to see them acknowledged. We are looking forward to the DND and AFP turn this recognition into concrete reforms and action.
NSTP | #Philippines
The DND’s proposed NEP 2027 highlights key challenges in AFP modernization during senate hearing: funding gaps, defense loans, infrastructure, operational readiness, cyber defense, and budget accountability. The priority is turning spending into capability.
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
1TBn | #Philippines
More photos show the 1st Tank Battalion’s Sabrah light tanks disembarking from BRP Bacolod City (LS-551), highlighting the vessel’s role in transporting armored assets.
2MIB | #Philippines
A video posted by the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion shows Sabrah light tanks disembarking from Philippine Navy logistics support vessel BRP Bacolod City (LC550). Another clip shows a tank lined up alongside three others.
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
2MIB | #Philippines
A video posted by the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion shows Sabrah light tanks disembarking from Philippine Navy logistics support vessel BRP Bacolod City (LC550). Another clip shows a tank lined up alongside three others.
2MIB | #Philippines
The 2nd Mech. Infantry Bde. received a platoon of Sabrah tanks from the 1st Tank Battalion at Camp Datu Badrodin, Iligan City. This marks the unit’s first deployment of Sabrah tanks in Mindanao, supporting territorial and internal security operations.
1M 📸
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
2MIB | #Philippines
The 2nd Mech. Infantry Bde. received a platoon of Sabrah tanks from the 1st Tank Battalion at Camp Datu Badrodin, Iligan City. This marks the unit’s first deployment of Sabrah tanks in Mindanao, supporting territorial and internal security operations.
1M 📸
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
Air force & Army | #Philippines
The PAF and Philippine Army launched PA-IOX field exercises in Bugasong, Antique, on Oct. 19, with 1,200 troops integrating air and land capabilities to strengthen joint operations and address maritime and coastal security threats.
104.5 BSJ📸
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
Air Force | #Philippines
A more recent photo from the PAF-PA IOX held in Antique on Oct. 14 shows a Black Hawk conducting an airlift operation in support of Philippine Army artillery units.
Army | #Philippines
Not entirely new, but not old information either. Another artillery airlift operation was recorded in August, showing a PZL Mielec S-70i Black Hawk transporting a 105mm howitzer.
The integration of this airlift capability is becoming increasingly normalized.
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
Brig. Gen. Harrington of the U.S. Army’s Multi-Domain Command - Pacific confirmed Typhon’s ongoing extended deployment to the Philippines this week at AUSA. Typhon has been in the Southeast Asian country for 30 months as of Oct. 2026. dvidshub.net/video/1026142/2…
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
ICYMI | The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) eight-man patrol team secured the Silver Medal at Exercise Cambrian Patrol 2026, held from 08 to 10 October at the Sennybridge Training Area in Wales, United Kingdom. Led by 1LT James Daryl A. Tagsip PN(M), the team competed against approximately 140 participants representing 35 nations.
The Marines navigated 65 kilometers of rugged terrain under harsh and unpredictable weather conditions, completing a grueling 48-hour patrol while carrying combat loads of around 40 kilograms. The challenge tested their endurance, discipline, leadership, navigation, and fieldcraft under extreme physical stress.
The Silver Medal highlights the Filipino Marines’ resilience, professionalism, and combat proficiency, earning distinction for the Philippines on the international stage.
Original Post: facebook.com/share/p/1JtUYYe…
📸 and 📝: Philippine Marine Corps
#AFPyoucanTRUST
#OneAFPOnePhilippines
#StrongAFPStrongPhilippines
#OurSeasOurRightsOurFuture
#MatatagNaSandigan
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
WHY IT'S UNLIKELY THE PHILIPPINES WILL GET ASEAN'S FULL SUPPORT
The Philippines' decision to downplay the arbitral ruling under then-President Rodrigo Duterte has contributed to ASEAN's subdued response, a geopolitical consultant says.
In 2021, Duterte undermined the Philippines' legal win against China in an attempt to court more Chinese loans and investments, calling the Hague ruling a mere "piece of paper" he can "throw away."
"Since the Philippines was not going to be loud about it, the ASEAN member-states may have decided that it was not in their best interest to be more robust on the topic if the Philippines was not going to do so," Julio Amador, an analyst, tells Philstar.com.
Read: philstar.com/headlines/2024/…
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
The #SupremeCourtPH, led by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), also known as the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines for the development of graduate scholarship and training programs for the Judiciary at the 𝘌𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘤 Session Hall in Manila, on October 6, 2026.
The MOU aims to establish a framework for cooperation on graduate scholarships, visiting fellowships, training programs, and other educational exchanges to support the SC development and capacity-building initiatives.
The partnership likewise seeks to facilitate exchanges involving experts from the United States (U.S.) to conduct professional consultations, lectures, training, and research within the SC.
Chief Justice Gesmundo expressed his gratitude to PAEF in strengthening academic and professional collaboration between the Philippines and the U.S. He welcomed the partnership’s renewed emphasis on the justice sector, describing it as a meaningful expression of the Philippines and the U.S.’ enduring commitment to advancing the rule of law and expanding access to justice for all.
For his part, Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) Chancellor and retired SC Associate Justice Edgardo L. Delos Santos emphasized the importance of education as a powerful tool for transforming institutions and public service, saying that investing in people strengthens institutions and the rule of law, and ultimately reinforces public trust in the administration of justice.
U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission Bridgette L. Walker underscored the importance of developing the people who drive institutional progress and deliver justice on the ground.
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
A summary of the Philippine Marine Corps Coastal Defense Regiment’s 2026 efforts to get Manila’s first BrahMos missile batteries operationalized. Story includes some observations from Strava and interesting wargaming results. My latest for @navalnewscom:
navalnews.com/naval-news/202…
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
📸 A ten-member PhilSA team is undergoing advanced technical training in the Republic of Korea from August to October 2026 as part of PhilSA’s SIKLAB: Building Industrial Space Launch Systems Project conducted with South Korean space mobility company Perigee Aerospace, Inc.
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
Infographic: Offshore Combat Force Deployment (Sept. 25, 2026):
NOB Subic - (4) Frigates
NOB Oyster Bay - (2) OPVs
NSTRS - (1) OPV
NST Davao - (2) OPVs
Inactive (R&R) - (3) OPVs
(9/13) ships are on active deployment.
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
🫡🇵🇭 Sgt. Mariel Barsales PAF makes history as the first and only female gunner qualified to operate the new Gatling gun system in the Philippine Air Force’s S-70i Black Hawk helicopters.
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
READ | 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
The Department of National Defense welcomes the House of Representatives' approval of the proposed New Espionage Act, which is a critical and long-overdue modernization of antiquated laws.
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
🇵🇭🇰🇷 | Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. expressed the Philippines’ support for the Republic of Korea’s defense initiatives during his bilateral meeting with ROK Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD).
#DNDPHL
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
Taiwan appears to have transferred its recently-decommissioned CGA vessel Lienchiang to Manila, according to local daily UDN. Tracked on AIS as registered PH law enforcement vessel. CGA official statement did not deny the transfer.
udn.com/news/story/10930/975…
cga.gov.tw/GipOpen/wSite/ct?…
New Strategic Thoughts for the Philippines (NSTP) retweeted
This situation once again puts Manila in a position where it must choose between protesting and expanding its reach through existing US-PH naval cooperation or de-escalating the situation, which likely wouldn’t yield meaningful results.
Combat Patrol – Scarborough Shoal: China’s Evolving Military Posture in the South China Sea — USNI News
news.usni.org/2026/09/11/com…























































