Rene Acosta

About Rene Acosta

Rene Acosta is a journalist based in the Philippines where he covers defense and national security. He was formerly the president of the Defense Press Corps of the Philippines.

Recent Posts By the Author


U.S. Begins Air Base Rehab in Philippines as Part of Basing Agreement

U.S. Begins Air Base Rehab in Philippines as Part of Basing Agreement

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U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare an F-22A Raptor assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron for departure from Clark Air Base, Philippines, March 14, 2023. US Air Force Photo

MANILA – The United States and the Philippines started rehabilitating the runway of the Basa Air Base in Pampanga on the island of Luzon, one of the five original Philippine military sites identified to host rotating American troops and their equipment under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Read More →

U.S., Philippines Add Four More Sites to EDCA Military Basing Agreement  

U.S., Philippines Add Four More Sites to EDCA Military Basing Agreement  

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is welcomed to the Philippine Department of National Defense in Manila, Feb. 2, 2023. DoD Photo

MANILA – The United States and the Philippines have designated four additional bases for U.S. troops to operate from as both countries agreed to accelerate the full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that will house American troops and their equipment in Philippine military camps located in strategic areas of the country. Read More →

Philippine Navy Brings Supplies to Troops in Second Thomas Shoal One Week After China Coast Guard Attack

Philippine Navy Brings Supplies to Troops in Second Thomas Shoal One Week After China Coast Guard Attack

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The two boats (encircled) bringing supplies to Philippine troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre. Photo provided by Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine military undertook a resupply mission for its troops in the Second Thomas Shoal in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on Tuesday, exactly one week after the mission was aborted after two Chinese Coast Guard vessels used water cannons to attack the two civilian boats bringing supplies to the soldiers. Read More →

China Coast Guard Attacks Resupply Mission for Filipino Troops on BRP Sierra Madre

China Coast Guard Attacks Resupply Mission for Filipino Troops on BRP Sierra Madre

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A Chinese Coast Guard Vessel in an image released by Philippine officials

MANILA, Philippines — Two Chinese Coast Guard vessels launched water cannons onto two Filipino boats during a resupply mission, a move that prompted the Philippine government to file a diplomatic protest against China, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said on Thursday. Read More →

Philippines Considering Addendum to U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement

Philippines Considering Addendum to U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement

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USS Wasp (LHD-1) makes a port visit to Subic Bay, the Philippines in support of Exercise Balikatan 2019 on April 1, 2019. US Navy Photo

MANILA — The U.S. and the Philippines are set to reinforce a contentious agreement allowing U.S. troops to operate from the island nation as tensions with China remain high, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said during a pre-State of the Nation Address forum on Wednesday. Read More →

Officials: the Philippines Expanding South China Sea Patrols Near Disputed Reef

Officials: the Philippines Expanding South China Sea Patrols Near Disputed Reef

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Republic of the Philippines Navy ship BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150) steams in a multinational formation during a photo exercise off the coast of Hawaii during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise on Aug. 21, 2020. US Navy Photo

MANILA – The Philippines has sent additional ships on Tuesday to its maritime territory that is subject to China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, officials announced on Tuesday. Read More →

Persistent Chinese Maritime Militia Presence off Philippines Raises Concerns in Manila

Persistent Chinese Maritime Militia Presence off Philippines Raises Concerns in Manila

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Overview of Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea and Chinese vessels moored in the waters surrounding the boomerang-shaped coral reef on March 23. MAXAR Photo

MANILA – Chinese maritime militia vessels remained berthed at the Whitsun Reef, which is located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, lending credence to what Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana described as China’s plot to permanently occupy the feature. Read More →

U.S. Air Force Chief Stresses Importance Of Freedom of Navigation Operations During Pacific Tour

U.S. Air Force Chief Stresses Importance Of Freedom of Navigation Operations During Pacific Tour

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Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein speaks to Airmen during an all call at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii on Aug. 14, 2019. US Air Force Photo

MANILA — The U.S. Air Force and the Navy will continue a combination of air and sea patrols in the Indo-Pacific region in an effort to keep the waters and skies open to overflight and international navigation, the head of the U.S. Air Force said in the Philippines, his first stopover during a visit to the air forces in the region. Read More →