12 Nautical

Miko Santos

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12 Nautical is a sharp, independent podcast exploring the power struggles, legal battles, and strategic flashpoints shaping the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. Each episode breaks down the latest developments with clear analysis, regional context, and the voices that matter most to the future of maritime Asia. guerrillapod.substack.com

1 day ago

Rules, Carriers, and Coast Guards: The WPS Flashpoint Moment

Episode Description: In this episode, we dive into a pivotal week for Philippine sovereignty. From the halls of the United Nations in New York to the contested waters of the West Philippine Sea (WPS), we examine the multi-front strategy the Philippines is employing against increasing Chinese maritime pressure. We discuss the latest ship sightings, the impact of President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA) on military morale, a historic legal bid for seabed rights, and the arrival of a U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier. If this episode sharpened your understanding of the WPS flashpoint, share it with someone who cares about the rules-based order. Subscribe for more deep dives into geopolitics, law, and power in the Indo-Pacific. Guerilla Podcast Syndicate is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Guerilla Podcast Syndicate at guerrillapod.substack.com/subscribe
2 days ago

Standing on Law, Not Might: The Philippines’ Moment in the West Philippine Sea

Episode Description:In a single week, three converging forces turned the West Philippine Sea into a global flashpoint: the Philippines’ 15-year legal push for an extended continental shelf at the UN, a U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier operating in waters China claims, and 26 Chinese naval and coast guard ships parked near four Philippine features. This episode argues that Manila is doing everything right—acting within the rules, exercising restraint, and forcing the world to choose between law and power. If the Philippines can’t win by following the rules, what’s the point of having them at all? Key Topics Covered: * The Philippines’ July 2026 oral presentation to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and what an extended continental shelf actually grants * Why objections from China, Vietnam, and Malaysia don’t derail Manila’s legal strategy—and why the CLCS process still matters * The USS Nimitz’s final deployment in the South China Sea and what U.S. carrier presence signals to Beijing and Manila * The AFP’s monitoring of 26 Chinese vessels near Ayungin, Bajo de Masinloc, Escoda, and Pag-asa from July 21–26, 2026 * President Marcos’ fifth SONA reaffirming the 2016 arbitral award and the AFP’s commitment to “peaceful and legal means” in defending sovereignty * Why the Philippines deserves international backing—not despite its restraint, but because of it Mentioned in This Episode: * UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Article 76: extended continental shelf entitlements * 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling invalidating China’s nine-dash line * Philippine Maritime Zones Act (RA 12064) codifying the West Philippine Sea * NAMRIA’s 15-year technical preparation of the ECS submission * U.S. funding for Philippine Coast Guard base expansion near the South China Sea (reported July 28, 2026) [user attachment: USNI link] If this episode sharpened your understanding of the WPS flashpoint, share it with someone who cares about the rules-based order. Subscribe for more deep dives into geopolitics, law, and power in the Indo-Pacific. Guerilla Podcast Syndicate is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Guerilla Podcast Syndicate at guerrillapod.substack.com/subscribe
23 Jul

Filipinos Are Fed Up With China — And the Numbers Prove It

Filipinos are sending a clear message: they do not trust China. A new OCTA Research survey shows 64% of adult Filipinos distrust Beijing, up from 55% in March, as tensions in the West Philippine Sea continue to boil. The latest clash near Ayungin Shoal only clarifies the situation, with the AFP rejecting China’s claim that it “permitted” a medical evacuation and insisting the mission was carried out solely under Philippine authority. In this episode, we break down what the poll really means, why public opinion is hardening, and how the West Philippine Sea dispute is shaping the Philippines’ political mood. We also look at why this issue is no longer just about foreign policy — it’s now about sovereignty, security, and national pride. Guerilla Podcast Syndicate is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Guerilla Podcast Syndicate at guerrillapod.substack.com/subscribe
19 Jul

The West Philippine Sea fight is about more than territory

Episode description A new University of the Philippines study puts hard numbers on the West Philippine Sea’s ecosystems, while a separate propaganda fight between Manila and Beijing shows how the dispute is also being waged through narrative and image. The West Philippine Sea is not just a sovereignty issue — it is an economic and environmental asset, according to a new UP Los Baños study that values fish, mangroves and other marine ecosystems in the contested waters. Researchers behind the Re-INVEST project said fish species tied to open-sea and seagrass habitats are worth an estimated P1.58 billion, while mangroves provide about P25 billion in carbon sequestration services and P91 million in coastal protection benefits. The study also found that coral reefs declined by 10.5 percent from 2015 to 2020, seagrass fell by 6.5 percent and seaweed by 8.1 percent, even as mangrove forests expanded by 30.6 percent. That scientific work comes amid a fresh diplomatic row over a China Daily AI-generated video that portrayed Filipinos as monkeys, prompting outrage from Philippine officials, a diplomatic protest and renewed debate over Beijing’s messaging tactics. Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela said the video was a racist attack on Filipinos and challenged senators who had criticised him earlier this year to condemn China’s latest move. The episode looks at how the West Philippine Sea dispute is unfolding on two fronts: in the water, where ecosystems and livelihoods are at stake, and in the information space, where every image and statement is part of the contest. Key themes * The economic value of marine ecosystems. * Environmental decline in the West Philippine Sea. * Propaganda, racism and diplomatic messaging. * The clash between legal claims and public narrative. Get full access to Guerilla Podcast Syndicate at guerrillapod.substack.com/subscribe
17 Jul

When Propaganda Goes Personal: China's AI Video and the South China Sea

Philippines condemns China Daily video depicting Filipinos as monkeys In this episode, we examine the diplomatic fallout after the Philippines condemned a China Daily AI-generated video that portrayed Filipinos as monkeys. We break down why Manila called the material racist and unacceptable, how the dispute connects to the South China Sea, and what this latest flashpoint reveals about the use of propaganda in modern statecraft. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said the video crossed a clear line, demanded its removal, and warned that demeaning imagery only deepens distrust between the two countries. The statement came as tensions between Manila and Beijing remain high over maritime disputes, including the long-running South China Sea arbitration issue. The timing also mattered: the video was posted around the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea. We also look at the broader strategy behind this kind of content. A dehumanising video is not just an insult — it is a political message designed to provoke anger, harden public attitudes, and shift attention away from legal and diplomatic arguments. For the Philippines, the challenge is responding firmly without escalating the confrontation further. This episode explores how AI-generated propaganda is changing the tone of international disputes, why language and imagery matter in geopolitics, and what this episode tells us about the increasingly volatile relationship between the Philippines and China. Key points covered * The Philippines formally protested China Daily’s racist depiction of Filipinos. * The video was linked to the South China Sea dispute and the 2016 arbitral ruling. * Manila demanded the material be taken down and rejected the imagery as unacceptable. * The incident highlights the growing role of AI and social media in propaganda and diplomacy. * The dispute underscores how quickly political conflict can slide into dehumanization. Why it mattersThis story is about more than one offensive video. It shows how state-backed messaging can fuel nationalism, inflame diplomatic tensions, and complicate already fragile regional relations. It also raises a larger question: what happens when governments stop arguing over policy and start targeting identity itself? Mentioned in this episode * Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs * China Daily * South China Sea arbitration ruling * China-Philippines diplomatic tensions Further listeningFor listeners interested in South-east Asian politics, maritime disputes, and the role of media in foreign policy, this episode offers a sharp look at how fast a propaganda fight can become a diplomatic one. Get full access to Guerilla Podcast Syndicate at guerrillapod.substack.com/subscribe
16 Jul

Philippines deepens legal fight over West Philippine Sea

The Philippines is sharpening its approach to the West Philippine Sea, with the Armed Forces backing a new Department of Justice maritime law unit created to centralise expertise on the 2016 arbitral ruling and international maritime law. The move comes as Manila tries to turn a landmark legal win into a more durable strategy, pairing legal preparation onshore with patrols and presence at sea. The development underscores how Manila is leaning on law as much as force. Officials say the new unit will serve as a repository of expertise on the arbitral award and UNCLOS, helping the government build a more consistent response to maritime incidents and strengthen its legal position in disputes with China. The AFP says the initiative supports a whole-of-nation effort to defend sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. But the question remains whether stronger legal architecture can translate into real-world gains in waters where China continues to assert its presence. Get full access to Guerilla Podcast Syndicate at guerrillapod.substack.com/subscribe
Season 1 Trailer

Welcome to 12 Nautical

12 Nautical is a podcast about the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, where maritime disputes, strategic rivalries, and legal battles shape the future of the region. Each episode delivers sharp, accessible analysis to help listeners understand why these waters matter to the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the world. Get full access to Guerilla Podcast Syndicate at guerrillapod.substack.com/subscribe

Trailer

Welcome to 12 Nautical

12 Nautical is a podcast about the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, where maritime disputes, strategic rivalries, and legal battles shape the future of the region. Each episode delivers sharp, accessible analysis to help listeners understand why these waters matter to the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the world. Get full access to Guerilla Podcast Syndicate at guerrillapod.substack.com/subscribe

12 Nautical is a sharp, independent podcast exploring the power struggles, legal battles, and strategic flashpoints shaping the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. Each episode breaks down the latest developments with clear analysis, regional context, and the voices that matter most to the future of maritime Asia. guerrillapod.substack.com

Creator

Miko Santos
Years Active

2026
Episodes

7
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Kangaroofern Media Lab Pty Ltd
Show Website

12 Nautical