Key Issues
Important maritime and shipping issues.
Law enforcement busts migrant smuggling, drug trafficking across Mediterranean
Europol, the law enforcement agency of the European Union, has supported Spanish authorities (Policía Nacional) in a transnational operation against a highly-organized network involved in
Philippines in talks with Japan to acquire Abukuma-class destroyers
The Philippine Navy has confirmed it is in exploratory discussions with Japan over the “possible transfer” of used warships and maritime surveillance aircraft, a move
China sanctions former Philippine senator over South China Sea stance
China has imposed travel sanctions on former Philippine senator Francis Tolentino, barring him from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau over what it
Philippines, Lithuania ink defense pact amid shared security concerns
Amid rising regional tensions, the Philippines and Lithuania have formalized a new era of defense cooperation through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU)
Scam centers are going global, warns INTERPOL
Human trafficking-fueled scam centers have expanded their global footprint, according to a new crime trend update released by INTERPOL. As of March 2025, victims from
Philippines endorses local names for Spratly features to reinforce maritime claims
In a move to reinforce its maritime claims, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has formally endorsed the adoption of Philippine names for 131
Philippine Coast Guard’s flagship back home after joint drills with Japan, U.S.
Under a clear sky at Pier 13 in Port Area, Manila, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on June 25 welcomed the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701)
INTERPOL busts global illicit pharmaceuticals criminal groups
An INTERPOL-coordinated operation across 90 countries has resulted in the seizure of 50.4 million doses of illicit pharmaceuticals worth US$65 million, highlighting the alarming scale
Law enforcement dismantles drug route from Costa Rica to Europe
An international operation coordinated on the European side by Europol, the law enforcement agency of the European Union, has dismantled a transnational criminal organization trafficking
Philippine Navy seizes record illicit drugs off Zambales
In a daring maritime operation before dawn June 20, the Philippine Navy seized P10 billion (US$174 million) worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, off the
Chinese ships attempt to block Philippine vessels installing fishing devices in West Philippine Sea
Four Chinese Coast Guard vessels challenged several Philippine ships deploying fish-aggregating devices (FADs), locally known as payao, in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast
Lives at risk: Deadly cost of corruption
Corruption is a pervasive disease around the globe, infecting various sectors and causing significant harm to the society. Among those
Philippines busts extortion scheme at Batangas Port during Christmas rush
Philippine law enforcers have charged two individuals for allegedly engaging in extortion at Batangas Port, located 110 kilometers south of
Weakening justice systems leave corruption unchecked in most countries, finds survey
The 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released January 30 by Transparency International shows that most countries have made little to
Singapore Continues to Lead Asia in Fighting Corruption Cases
In the 10th edition of the Global Legal Insights to Bribery & Corruption (2023) published by Global Legal Group, Allen
In Pictures: Photo stories
We stand united against corruption.
Law enforcement dismantles cocaine trafficking rings in joint global operation
Europol, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, has supported a large-scale investigation against a transcontinental criminal network trafficking large amounts of cocaine from
INTERPOL takes down 20,000 malicious IPs, domains
More than 20,000 malicious IP addresses or domains linked to information stealers have been taken down in an INTERPOL-coordinated operation against cybercriminal infrastructure. During Operation
The Problem.
Over 90 percent of the global trade is carried across ocean. However, the maritime industry is also prone to rampant corruption.
Philippines in talks with Japan to acquire Abukuma-class destroyers
The Philippine Navy has confirmed it is in exploratory discussions with Japan over the “possible transfer” of used warships and maritime surveillance aircraft, a move
China fails to block West Philippine Sea documentary at New Zealand film festival
A Chinese government’s attempt to block the screening of a Filipino documentary on the West Philippine Sea in New Zealand has failed, with the Doc
Philippines backs “one-theater” military concept for East, South China Seas
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said the military has been operationalizing a “one-theater” concept for the Indo-Pacific region, in coordination with allies such as
China sanctions former Philippine senator over South China Sea stance
China has imposed travel sanctions on former Philippine senator Francis Tolentino, barring him from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau over what it
CMA CGM donates to victims of earthquake in Morocco
Following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco on September 8, 2023, the CMA CGM Foundation, as part of its commitment to help populations affected
Two workers killed at Gadani shipbreaking yards
On January 16, two workers, Qasim and Mustafa, lost their lives crushed by a heavy iron plate during the dismantling of bulk carrier CATHERINE BRIGHT
UAE takes important steps towards sustainable ship recycling
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s new Ship Recycling Regulation requires a dry dock or equivalent infrastructures for environmentally sound ship recycling. Set to take effect
Alleged burned human bones found in Philippines’ Taal Lake in connection to missing cockfighting enthusiasts’ investigation
Four years after the mysterious disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts, locally known as “sabungeros”, a significant breakthrough in the case
Houthi attack in Red Sea: Three Filipino seafarers dead, five others rescued
Three Filipino seafarers have been confirmed dead, while five others were rescued after the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier MV Eternity C
