Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<p>ABOARD BRP TERESA MAGBANUA — Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday expressed concern over China’s continued “destabilising and dangerous conduct” in the South China Sea as she vowed Canberra’s continued support for Manila in addressing maritime challenges.</p><p>A Philippine Navy sailor sustained a head injury after being <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/20/ph-navy-officer-sustains-head-injury-after-confrontation-with-china-coast-guard-1605">struck with a wooden baton by China Coast Guard (CCG) </a>personnel during a confrontation at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Monday, July 20, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1015766184608468%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=268&amp;t=0" width="268" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>“We remain concerned about destabilizing and dangerous conduct in the South China Sea, some of which the Philippine Coast Guard knows too well, including the actions by Chinese vessels towards Philippine vessels we witnessed yesterday morning,” Wong said during a ceremony aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua.</p><p>Wong visited the Philippine Coast Guard and held a private meeting with Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, saying they would exchange views on maritime security and opportunities to further expand bilateral maritime cooperation.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/21/us-slams-dangerous-china-action-in-sea-clash-with-philippines-navy-0840">US slams &#x27;dangerous&#x27; China action in sea clash with Philippines navy </a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>AUSTRALIA’S SUPPORT </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Wong also announced Australia’s additional support for the PCG’s aerial and maritime drone capabilities and training.</p><p>This includes an additional 10 million Australian dollars (about P413 million) worth of cutting-edge drone technology and operator training, bringing Canberra’s total drone support to nearly P600 million since April 2025.</p><p>“Friends, we do understand the breadth of the challenges you face, including illegal fishing, maritime pollution, environmental damage and climate change. And a key message that I want to give to you today and I hope to leave with you is that we will continue to support you as we work to address these challenges together,” the Australian official said.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F4669382166638421%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </span>Wong further announced that Australia would double its bilateral civil maritime assistance to the Philippines through a new four-year, P678 million Civil Maritime Advancement through Partnerships and Support (C-MAPS) investment.</div><p>Gavan said Australia’s support reflects the growing strategic partnership between Manila and Canberra in promoting maritime safety and regional stability.</p><p>“I want to highlight what Australia’s support has meant to the Philippine Coast Guard because general statements do not fully reflect what our cooperation has built,” he said.</p><p>“The unmanned aerial systems, remotely operated underwater vehicles, the ground control systems and related capabilities provided through Australian support are not ceremonial assets. They are operational tools that extend our awareness across maritime spaces that our vessels alone cannot continuously cover,” Gavan continued. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/19/how-ph-navy-officer-lost-a-finger-during-china-ramming-incident-in-ayungin-1809">How PH Navy officer lost a finger during China ramming incident in Ayungin</a></div>

<p>Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday expressed concern over China’s continued “destabilising and dangerous conduct” in the South China Sea as she vowed Canberra’s continued support for Manila in addressing maritime challenges. </p>

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday expressed concern over China’s continued “destabilising and dangerous conduct” in the South China Sea as she vowed Canberra’s continued support for Manila in addressing maritime challenges.

Australia raises concern over China’s sea actions, boosts Philippine maritime capabilities

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Australia raises concern over China’s sea actions, boosts Philippine maritime capabilities

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 21, 2026 10:32 AM PHT

|

Updated July 21, 2026 10:55 AM PHT

Read More:

China

Philippines

South China Sea

West Philippine Sea

Australia

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