Philippines focuses on boosting its military strength after China’s “dangerous” moves

The Philippines’ defense secretary said on Monday that his/her country is focusing on strengthening its military to deter armed attacks, local media reported, in the wake of an incident in which a Philippine vessel was rammed by Chinese ships in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, ‘BRP Datu Sunday’ (MMOV 3002), faced “aggressive and dangerous maneuvers” from eight Chinese coast guard vessels while operating from Hasa-Hasa Shoal to Escoda Shoal, news outlet PNA reported.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said the Chinese ships’ actions were aimed at obstructing the Philippine ship’s humanitarian mission to provide diesel, food and medical supplies to Philippine fishermen.

Both islands — Hasa-Hasa (Half-Moon) Shoal and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal — are claimed by the Philippines as falling within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

It said these unprofessional, aggressive and illegal actions posed a serious threat to the safety of the Philippine crew and the fishermen they were supposed to provide services to.

“The BRP Datu Sande was targeted by People’s Liberation Army Navy Ship 626 and several Chinese Coast Guard vessels, which attempted to surround and block the humanitarian mission,” the task force said.

Philippine authorities alleged that Chinese coast guard vessels also sprayed water on the BRP Datu Sunday, damaging its engine.

However, the Philippine National Task Force rejected the claim, saying the Filipino nationals fell off the ship and were rescued by the Chinese Coast Guard after the collision incident.

In the House of Representatives, Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez expressed concern over China’s “increasingly aggressive” actions.

“Once again, we strongly condemn this latest reckless and dangerous maneuver by the Chinese Coast Guard against our ships,” he/she was quoted as saying by news outlet PNA.

Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. was quoted by the PNA news outlet as telling reporters in Manila that when asked whether the Philippines and its military ally the United States (US) should discuss whether there was an armed attack in the latest incident, he/she said, “You know it’s like putting the cart before the horse. We must prevent an armed attack. That is the most important thing here.”

“That’s what I’m focusing on. Everybody is focusing too much on the armed attack. Let’s make ourselves strong enough so that that doesn’t happen,” Teodoro said.

The United States, which has a long-standing defense treaty with the Philippines, has reiterated its support for Manila.

In a post on X on Sunday, US Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson said, “The unsafe, unlawful, and aggressive conduct by the PRC disrupted a legitimate Philippine mission, endangering lives — the latest in many dangerous actions by the PRC (People’s Republic of China).” She added the hashtag #FriendsPartnersAllies.

The Philippines and the US have a seven-decade-old mutual defense treaty that says the two countries will support each other if either country is attacked by an external party.

Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya also posted on X that Tokyo opposes any action that escalates tensions in the region and endangers people’s lives.

“Another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Any harassment and actions that escalate tensions or impede freedom of navigation will not be tolerated. It is important to maintain the rules-based international order and abide by commitments,” the Japanese ambassador’s post read.

On Sunday, Philippines National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said Manila remains firm in asserting its rights in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral award.

Recently, ships from both the Philippines and China have been involved in a clash in the South China Sea over control of a submerged reef called Second Thomas Shoal.

On August 19, Chinese coast guard ships deliberately rammed two Philippine boats.

Meanwhile, Philippines officials have said that on August 22, Chinese military aircraft launched flares from its militarized reclaimed island at Zamora Reef, during a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight conducted by the BFAR.