-(Inquirer 8/10) Asean, others see Unclos’ relevance: The 1st Expanded Asean Maritime Forum ended on Friday in Manila with delegates recognizing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and two regional treaties as the “rules-based” framework for resolving conflicting claims in the South China Sea; PH, US Marines begin annualtal joint exercises

-(Gmanetwork 8/10)China has de facto control over Panatag Shoal, says former DFA senior official: “Remember, China roped off the area and no fishermen and no vessels from the Philippines can go in,” said former foreign affairs undersecretary Lauro Baja Jr. He spoke Friday

-(Reuters 7/10) Southeast Asia splashes out on defense, mostly maritime: Wary of China and flush with economic success, Southeast Asia is ramping up spending on military hardware to protect the shipping lanes, ports and maritime boundaries