API Podcast Ep13: Is a ₱324 billion budget enough for the Philippine Defense Department?
For 2027, the Department of Budget and Management has allotted a ₱324.632 billion budget for the defense sector, a slight bump from last year. However, this is still a drop from its proposed P572.78 billion budget proposal submitted by the Department of National Defense (DND). This leaves little room for the modernization program, which is already behind schedule and nearing its 2028 deadline. Is the Philippine government allocating enough budget to defend the country's sovereignty? What should the defense sector prioritize in acquisitions next year? How can we rely on defense allies to fill in the gaps? In this episode of API Podcast, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Manuel Mogato, veteran defense journalist Rodney Jaleco and Ret. Col. Dencio Acop come together to analyze the 2027 DND budget. Visit asiapacificinsights.com for more news and opinion articles on security, diplomacy, and geopolitics.
24 Aug 2026
API Podcast Ep12: Is the US still a reliable security partner in the Indo-Pacific region?
Despite America's promises of remaining engaged in the Indo-Pacific, the Philippines and other nations remain on edge after the US announced it will be scaling back its military exercises with South Korea. Is it high time to consider other options -- such as reviving the SEATO or hedging on middle powers to counter China's ICAD tactics?In the latest episode of API Podcast, Pulitzer Prize Awardee Manuel Mogato is joined again by our resident columnists, Ret. Col. Dencio Acop and veteran defense journalist Rodney Jaleco to discuss the latest updates on security issues concerning the Philippines and its neighbors.Also we discuss the controversy of a former Congressman receiving multiple medals and earning the rank of a brigadier general despite having only served six years as a reservist for the Philippine Air Force. Visit www.asiapacificinsights.com for more news and opinion on security, defense, and diplomacy.
20 Jul 2026
API Podcast Ep11: 10th Anniversary of the UNCLOS arbitral ruling on the South China Sea
It has been 10 years since the UNCLOS international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines over the contested waters in the South China Sea, invalidating China's sweeping maritime claims over the resource-rich waters. However, the battle has been far from over. From gray zone tactics to ICAD (Illegal, Coercive, Aggressive, and Deceptive), and now a publication of an AI-generated racist video depicting the Philippines as a monkey controlled by US and Japan, China continues to ignore the arbitral ruling. In this episode of API Podcast, Asia-Pacific Insights editor-in-chief Manuel Mogato is joined again by resident columnists Rodney Jaleco and Ret. Colonel Dencio Acop to discuss the latest updates on South China Sea. Jaleco and Acop also share their thoughts on the upcoming 59th ASEAN Ministers Meeting and related meetings, where multiple state leaders -- including China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi -- are expected to attend. Visit asiapacificinsights.com for more news and opinion on diplomacy, defense, and geopolitics.
21 Jun 2026
Episode 10: War in Iran, Philippines' 'friend to all' policy revisited
Earlier last week US President Donald Trump announced that they have reached an agreement with Iran, but everyone still remained on edge. And as America continues to be preoccupied in the Middle East, it's no surprise that its traditional defense allies are looking elsewhere to make sure their bases are covered. The Philippines is no exception. In a span of a few weeks, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has met with state leaders from Japan, Vietnam, Germany and Russia for defense and economic opportunities. This is in part of his administration's "friend to all" policy. How will this all work out? In the 10th episode of API Podcast, our resident columnists Ret. Col. Dencio Acop and Rodney Jaleco share their expert insights on the latest updates in security and geopolitics. Visit our site asiapacificinsights.com (https://www.asiapacificinsights.com) for more security and diplomacy stories and opinion pieces.
11 May 2026
API Podcast Ep9: Exercise Balikatan 2026
Last Friday, the Philippines and its six allies have concluded yet again the "biggest" iteration of Exercise Balikatan 2026. We've sat down again with API resident columnists, security expert Ret. Col. Dencio Acop and veteran defense journalist Rodney Jaleco to discuss the latest additions to the multi-domain, multilateral exercises. Forty-one iterations later, what has the Philippines learned from its partners? Are Australia, Canada, and other participants ready for war if it breaks out in the region? We discuss all these and more in the ninth episode of API Podcast. What do you think about the latest Balikatan? Comment down below 👇Subscribe to https://www.asiapacificinsights.com/ for more news and opinion on defense, diplomacy, and geopolitics.
8 Apr 2026
API Podcast EP8: Iran, Balikatan, and Philippines' SOFVA with France
A month into the US-Iran conflict, and there's no end in sight. Beyond fuel supply and essential goods shortages due to the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, how else is the hostilities in the Middle East affecting the rest of the world? In the latest episode of API Podcast, resident columnists security expert Ret. Col. Dencio Acop and veteran defense journalist Rodney Jaleco share their thoughts on why the US-Iran conflict will continue to drag on, as well as its impact on America's sphere of influence in the Asia-Pacific. Visit asiapacificinsights.com for more news and opinions on defense, security, diplomacy and geopolitics.
2 Mar 2026
API Podcast Ep7: PH-US Bilateral Strategic Dialogue
Last February 16, US and Philippine officials met in Manila for the 12th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD), an annal platform where both sides discuss political, security and economic collaboration. The latest BSD placed more importance on security, particularly strengthening US-PH alliance to re-establish America’s dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. What exactly did the US promise? In the seventh episode of API Podcast, we discuss with our resident columnists, Ret. Col. Dencio Acop and Rodney Jaleco, what America’s latest pledges means for the Philippines and its neighbors in the region. Visit https://asiapacificinsights.com for more news and columns on defense and diplomacy.
25 Feb 2026
API Podcast Ep6: Biggest security issues in 2026
2025 ended with conflicts in South America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe still far from over.Will we more countries join the fray in the coming months?For the first podcast episode for the year, we're joined again by API resident columnists, Ret. Col. Dencio Acop and veteran journalist Rodney Jaleco, to look into the biggest security issues the world will face in 2026.Visit https://asiapacificinsights.com for more news and columns on defense and diplomacy.
25 Feb 2026
API Podcast Ep5 - 2025 in review
It has been a busy, exciting and eventful year! For our last podcast episode for the year, we are joined again by our resident columnists, Ret. Col. Dencio Acop, and veteran defense reporter Rodney Jaleco to discuss some key highlights in Philippine politics and the recently-released National Security Strategy. Where does the Philippines stand in America's NSS and what awaits us in 2026? What topics do you want us to cover next? Comment below! Visit asiapacificinsights.com for more news and columns.
3 Dec 2025
API Podcast Ep4 - Task Force Philippines and America's new movements in the Asia-Pacific Region
In November, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the formation of the Task Force Philippines. But what value does the Task Force actually add to the already robust military alliance between the Philippines and US? And how would this impact China's posturing in the region?In the fourth episode of API Podcast, we meet again with our resident columnist veteran journalist Rodney Jaleco to discuss the latest developments in defense ties between the Philippines and the United States of America. Visit asiapacificinsights.com (https://asiapacificinsights.com/) for more stories and opinions on security and defense.
8 Nov 2025
API Podcast Ep3: Corruption's impact on Philippine defense
How is the corruption and misappropriation of government budget affecting Philippine defense?
In the third episode of API Podcast, we meet again with our resident columnists veteran journalist Rodney Jaleco and security expert Ret. Col Dencio Acop to discuss the impact of corruption and the complicity of some military officers on Philippine external security.
We also explore how China benefits from the Philippines’ lingering domestic issues, and what is America’s next steps to securing its position in the Asia-Pacific region.
Visit asiapacificinsights.com (https://asiapacificinsights.com/) for more stories and opinions on security and defense.
22 Sept 2025
API Podcast Ep2: China's ICAD tactics
Last month, a Chinese Coast Guard cutter and People's Liberation Army Navy destroyer collided in its attempts to pursue a Philippine patrol vessel near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
Is China's deployment of navy ships a sign of escalating tensions in the West Philippines sea?
In the second episode of API Podcast, we're discussing China’s ICAD (illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive) tactics in the West Philippine Sea.We're joined by a former Philippine Army intelligence colonel and West Point graduate, Dennis Acop, and veteran defense reporter, Rodney Jaleco, who will be sharing their insights on China's changing tactics and what the Philippines and its allies can do in response to these aggressions.
Visit asiapacificinsights.com (https://asiapacificinsights.com) for more stories and opinions on security and defense.
1 Aug 2025
Pilot Ep: Drone warfare
In the first-ever episode of API Podcast, we're delving into an increasingly common trend in warfare: the use of drones and unmanned vehicles.
We're joined by a former Philippine Army intelligence colonel and West Point graduate, Dennis Acop, and veteran defense reporter, Rodney Jaleco, who will be sharing their insights on how the Philippines should approach the use of drones in its deterrence capabilities.
Visit asiapacificinsights.com (https://asiapacificinsights.com/) for more stories and opinions on security and defense.
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