The Philippines is considering a new strategy to counter Chinese naval actions

By Peter Martin and Andreo Calonzo (Bloomberg) —

The Philippines is considering a new approach in the South China Sea, where increasing encounters with Beijing have damaged its ships and injured crews, according to its defense chief, who said he wants maritime operations to be “less telegraphed.”

“We are working on a new strategy for the way we do things, obviously with the goal of both preventing injuries and number two, upholding the dignity of our country,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said. earlier in an interview in his Manila office. Tuesday.

Teodoro declined to comment on the country’s strategy adjustment, saying the Philippines has a “range of options” to counter China’s sweeping claims on the key waterway. “If you’re stuck with one mode, it’s easy to anticipate,” he said.

The defense chief’s comments come as three Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannons at two Philippine ships near Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday. This is yet another example of China’s game plan to counter the Philippines’ growing assertiveness in the disputed waters.

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Since 2022, the Philippines has been following a strategy of transparency, drawing attention to Chinese actions in the South China Sea on social media and through press releases. It remains to be seen how this would change once Teodoro’s new plan comes to fruition, if at all.

“The most important point we must emphasize is that we will not abandon our presence in the Second Thomas Shoal and we will not enter into any modus vivendi that will compromise our position regarding our rights in the area,” he said. Nestled in the shoal is the Sierra Madre – a crumbling warship that Manila deliberately grounded on the shoal in 1999 to serve as a military outpost.

Along with Taiwan, the standoff between the Philippines and China over a series of disputed reefs and islands has become a critical flashpoint in the region. The Philippine military and coast guard have stepped up operations to supply troops and support the crumbling Sierra Madre.

Beijing has strongly opposed the delivery of construction materials to the warship, blocking Philippine supply ships and resorting to water cannons to prevent the Southeast Asian country from repairing the ship. On Tuesday, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the Navy spotted three research vessels from China in the Second Thomas Shoal, days after the military said it discovered the “unauthorized presence” of a Chinese-flagged research vessel near a province on the main island. of Luzon.

China has been “more assertive” and “more visible not only in the West Philippine Sea but also on the east coast,” Teodoro said, referring to the Chinese research vessel recently spotted there. The behavior may be related to the Philippines’ ongoing military exercises with the US known as “Balikatan,” he added.

The US has pledged to support the Philippines and is conducting annual joint exercises with the country’s troops until May 10, as ties are strengthened between the long-standing allies under Marcos.

Teodoro said he expects Manila’s military ties with Washington to grow in the coming years. This could include co-production of defense equipment as well as increased intelligence sharing with the US.

Elsewhere, the Philippines wants to conclude a defense deal with Japan within a year, as well as begin talks with France on a visiting forces deal. India is also keen to strengthen defense ties, he said.

China views Philippine actions in the South China Sea and deepening ties with the US as “provocations,” the defense minister said.

“The word provocation has been uttered several times by China against Japan, against the Group of Seven,” he said. “I really don’t know what the definition of provocation is in the Chinese dictionary.”

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