Staying silent and lacking firm action from the Philippine government has enabled China’s expansionist ambitions in the South China Sea almost without wielding much effort despite receiving tons of objections from Filipinos, endangering its sovereignty and the security of its allies in the Pacific.
With no #Philippines Coast Guard ships now at Pag-Asa (Thitu) Island to take photos, #China’s maritime militia swarm has returned in force, with 26 ships gathered within its territorial sea on 9 April. Still others lie just over the horizon. pic.twitter.com/DIb6LGiXKC
— Ray Powell (@GordianKnotRay) April 10, 2023
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) – Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, China has installed about seven outposts in the Spratlys, including the Scarborough Shoal, which it seized through a naval blockade in 2012. It also established 20 more outposts in the neighboring Paracel Islands.
So far, the current Marcos administration has made pertinent efforts to address the growing tension, starting with the update on the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which now granted Washington access to four more military bases.
With this, the US has a more expansive presence in the Philippines, allowing its armed forces to rotate in more military camps across the archipelago—a decision that was a complete 180 from the stagnant response of the previous administration under President Rodrigo Duterte, who feared offending Beijing.
Shortly after, Philippine maritime patrol increased in the area, which led to a brief provocation coming from a Chinese coastguard vessel, which began aiming its “military-grade laser” at one of Manila’s ships that supporting a resupply mission for troops posted in Second Thomas Shoal (local “Ayungin” Shoal).
It also targeted fishing boats near Scarborough Shoal, which immediately left after feeling “intimidated” by the laser light. While no warning shots nor physical confrontation were made, reports said that some crew members from the Philippine boat were temporarily blinded by the laser light.
The Philippines has filed a total of 77 protests against China, including 10 this year, under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
FULL STORY: https://t.co/zmTRFNPVYd pic.twitter.com/Rg2RHWVebC
— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) February 28, 2023
The incident nudged the Philippine government to cooperate with Australia and Japan in conducting naval patrols with the US.
Once talks are settled, the initiative will be the first joint multilateral maritime patrol in the South China Sea for Manila and will surely anger Beijing.
Meanwhile, the Philippines and the United States began their largest-ever joint military exercises on Tuesday, with 17,600 troops from both nations participating in a series of war simulations that will last through April 28.
Australian forces will also partake in the activities, which will be held in Ilocos Norte, Aurora, Zambales, Palawan, and Antique—mostly facing the West Philippine Sea.
The 38th annual joint drill, dubbed the Balikatan (“shoulder-to-shoulder”) exercise, seeks to improve interoperability among partners as well as their various maritime deterrent and security capabilities in the area.
It will also include training on amphibious, urban, and aviation operations and responses to counterterrorism, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief operations.
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