Leilani Chavez

Multimedia and investigative journalist covering traditional & nontraditional security in East Asia. Filmmaker, at times. Opinions, mine.

[Defense News @defense_news]

The interceptor drone systems are expected to be installed by 2027 near radar sites, bases, vessels and other critical locations, the agency stated. https://t.co/JnBKkdxHHa

[Leilani Chavez @leichavez]

When a Senator proclaims Philippine journalists as “bayaran” or paid hacks, we should be very very very angry. (Like should-we-file-a-class-lawsuit type of angry.)

This doesn’t just merit a swing of news reports or statement from journo groups, it deserves a full editorial!

I’ve only seen a few, mostly op-eds. Editorials are better. This one’s written so well:

https://t.co/Ovo0zAzG5h

[Leilani Chavez @leichavez]

Probably one of the interesting bits in this year’s Balikatan is that the JGSDF has been using the current flag as a flag patch instead of the Rising Sun version. Good call, I say.

Here they are with a pose-y shot for the Japanese wires~

[Defense News @defense_news]

“The missile was very precise. Let’s say if you want to hit a window from a far distance, it lands directly into that window,” a military official said. https://t.co/UxBUesrnYm

[Leilani Chavez @leichavez]

Boots on the ground!

Covering the final week of the Balikatan exercises~

[Leilani Chavez @leichavez]

This standstill is getting boring. Let’s make a film.

[Leilani Chavez @leichavez]

Are President Trump's geopolitical policies pushing Southeast Asian countries toward China? This latest survey says it appears so. Not a pivot, but incremental shifts. Interestingly, the US & China are also the least trusted powers here, so...

https://t.co/q29PAG150u

[Leilani Chavez @leichavez]

I belong in the camp that believes it's too early to panic over reported funding delays. But I agree--the potential cost overruns are too big to ignore.

The consolation is that a few days ago, the JP government has identified a much clearer funding source for defense spending.

[Defense News @defense_news]

A source on the program told Defense News the new contract is a “bridge” allowing work to continue until the end of June. https://t.co/Glvxyd7pgA

[Defense News @defense_news]

Japan’s Tomahawk orders are unlikely to be affected immediately, but longer military campaigns in the Middle East could cause setbacks, one analyst said. https://t.co/ZKHwHlQCDr

[Defense News @defense_news]

Japan’s standoff capability buildup includes deploying homegrown missiles and acquiring Tomahawk cruise missiles to be launched from Aegis destroyers. https://t.co/EVuQWFdEVc

[Defense News @defense_news]

The incident at sea in early March is the latest in a string of Chinese actions aimed at tempting sailors to lose their cool, Philippine officials said. https://t.co/it4HgdpMbE

[Defense News @defense_news]

The U.S. Army operates only a small number of THAAD batteries across the world, meaning a deployment can affect multiple theaters. https://t.co/gGkGP3qX5R

[Defense News @defense_news]

Reports indicate that costs have tripled, but it’s unclear if the Japanese government under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi would augment this year’s budget. https://t.co/jEleHsvb95

[Defense News @defense_news]

The U.S. Army’s rotation in the Philippines is easy to overlook. Experts say that might be the point. https://t.co/NFUTmweDEa

[Department of War 🇺🇸 @DeptofWar]

NEWS: DOW Restructures Foreign Military Sales, Prioritizes Speed, Efficiency

https://t.co/NyV3GkZcmo

[Leilani Chavez @leichavez]

Geopolitical tension with China placed in limbo the Philippines' attempts to explore Reed Bank. The Marcos administration hopes to break the impasse by seeking Washington's protection, but experts say interest appears to have fizzled out.

Neighbors in the region have successfully pushed back against China's attempts to derail oil and gas projects in the South China Sea — except in the Philippines. Experts say there are many strategies, but the challenge is internal: An "ad hoc" diplomatic approach when dealing with China and a lack of political will.

Here's a my latest deep dive for the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism:

https://t.co/BxHHx14oLE

[PCIJ @PCIJdotOrg]

1/ High power bills? There's a solution 250km off Palawan—but it's been stuck in limbo for over 20 years.

Recto Bank holds an estimated 3.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. More than Malampaya had when it started.

[Leilani Chavez @leichavez]

https://t.co/csj1oQjQeV

[Leilani Chavez @leichavez]

Former energy secretary Cusi’s arraignment over the Malampaya deal (which sold off Chevron shares to Udenna Corp) got postponed (again!) and rescheduled for March. That’s the third time since October. 🤔

[Defense News @defense_news]

China did not stipulate covered items, but experts believe the restrictions could affect rare earth minerals, a potential Achilles' heel for Japan. https://t.co/bpVuwvO10J