Following its reputation for in-depth geopolitical discussions, TaiwanPlus' flagship current affairs program "Taiwan Talks" recently embarked on special on-location filming in the Philippines. This strategic move brings the program directly to a key player in the region, allowing for exclusive interviews with experts and policymakers who offer vital local perspectives on the South China Sea conflict. The program delves deep into the complexities of this issue with four special episodes featuring high-profile guests from academia, government, the military, and the coast guard. Through these exclusive interviews, hosts Yin Khvat and Rath Wang shed light on the Philippines' critical position on this global issue, offering viewers a nuanced understanding of the region's dynamics.
Following on from the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, the series of episodes also give greater context to the policy direction that President Marcos outlined in his keynote speech there and the well-documented response from the Chinese PLAN (navy) representative.
Key highlights include:
- Jay Batongbacal, Director of the University of the Philippines Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, and Richard Heydarian, host of “The View From Manila” and senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines examined ASEAN’s key role in regional stability and conflict prevention.
- Jay Tarella, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard West Command, discussed the challenges facing the Philippine military in patrolling disputed waters.
- Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla-Taborlupa, the Philippines' first female Armed Forces Spokesperson, discussed cybersecurity.
- Rear Admiral Rommel G. Ong, former Vice Commander of the Philippine Navy, emphasized collaboration with the United States, Japan, and informal ties with Taiwan.
- Finally, Lucio Pitlo III, a Foreign Policy and Security Analyst at the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies, joined Sherwin Ona, an Associate Professor of Political Science and Development Studies at De La Salle University to discuss the Philippines' role in regional security linking into recent joint military exercises with the United States.
Lead host Yin Khvat stated: “While we often discuss regional geopolitical issues with experts in Taiwan, there’s no substitute for being on the ground in the Philippines, it was a real honor to be able to interview so many key Filipino players and hear about policy direction firsthand. We hope that our audience will appreciate these insightful perspectives and come away with much increased understanding of the complex issues discussed in these programs.”
Watch all episodes of “Taiwan Talks” in the Philippines on the TaiwanPlus website here.
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