On July 23, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear disarmament, calling on nuclear weapon states to fulfil their obligations under international law, while addressing regional security concerns including the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea (SCS), Myanmar and the Middle East.
Author: Zarah Ysabel Tortocion
Defence and Politics Correspondent, SEA Daily
Philippine Senate Scrutinises Millions in Vice President’s Confidential Funds
On August 3, the Philippines’ Senate Impeachment Court heard testimony from a Commission on Audit (COA) auditor who said Vice President Sara Duterte was the only Vice President and the only Department of Education (DepEd) secretary to receive confidential funds during her tenure with the Commission’s Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (ICFAO), as the House prosecution continued presenting documentary and financial evidence in the impeachment trial.
Indonesia Leads ASEAN Push for Long-Term Disaster Resilience
On July 29, Indonesia called on ASEAN to shift its disaster management approach from disaster risk reduction towards long-term sustainable resilience, urging stronger international cooperation to better prepare the bloc for future crises.
Vietnam, Laos Advances Defence Healthcare Cooperation Through Medical Training
On July 29, Vietnam and Laos agreed to expand military medical cooperation by strengthening personnel training, technology transfer and specialist healthcare programmes, reinforcing long-standing defence ties between the two countries.
Philippines Deposits Bajo de Masinloc Chart with UN to Reinforce Maritime Claims
On July 29, the Philippines formally deposited its official nautical chart of Bajo de Masinloc and its surrounding maritime zones with the United Nations (UN) Secretariat, reinforcing its efforts to uphold international law and strengthen the legal certainty of its maritime entitlements.
Timor-Leste Approves Portugal Defence Agreements to Enhance Military Capabilities
On July 28, the Timor-Leste Government approved a new defence cooperation framework and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Portugal, formalising bilateral efforts to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities and deepen strategic cooperation over the next four years.
Indonesia Bolsters Village-Level Prevention to Counter Human Trafficking
On July 30, Indonesia strengthened efforts to combat human trafficking by combining tougher victim protection measures with village-based prevention and economic empowerment programmes. Authorities warned that traffickers are increasingly exploiting digital technology to recruit victims, as the country marked World Day Against Human Trafficking 2026 in Jakarta.
Anti-Scam Law Becomes the First Political Test of Myanmar’s New Government
Myanmar’s military-backed Union Parliament has approved an Anti-Online Scam Law that introduces tougher penalties for online fraud on July 28, including a mandatory death sentence in cases where victims die after being forced to participate in scam operations. It is also the first legislation passed under the government of President Min Aung Hlaing, who moved from junta chief to head of state in April following an election that the pro-democracy party National League for Democracy did not contest.
Indonesian Navy Participates in RIMPAC 2026 MASCAL Training to Boost Medical Response Readiness
On July 26, Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) Marines and the US Marine Corps (USMC) conducted a joint Mass Casualty Training (MASCAL) exercise in Hawaii as part of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercise, enhancing their ability to respond to large-scale military and humanitarian emergencies.
Continuity, Not Innovation, to Define President Macros’ Final Two Years
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. used his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27 to outline his administration’s priorities for the remainder of its term, placing governance, economic competitiveness, public services and national security at the centre of the government’s agenda.