Ready to Face War with China, Philippines Strengthens Maritime Defense

MANILA – President Filipina Ferdinand Marcos Jr has ordered his government to strengthen its coordination in the field of maritime security to face “a series of serious challenges” to territorial integrity and peace. This is in line with increasing disputes with China

The order, signed and published on Sunday (31/3/2024), does not mention China but follows a series of bilateral maritime confrontations and mutual recriminations over disputed areas in the South China Sea.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which it carries more than $3 trillion in annual shipping trade. China’s claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China’s claims had no legal basis.

The latest unrest occurred last weekend, when China used water cannon to disrupt a Philippine supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal for soldiers guarding a warship that accidentally landed on the reef 25 years ago.

“Despite efforts to increase stability and security in our maritime region, the Philippines continues to face a series of serious challenges that threaten territorial integrity, but also the peaceful existence of Filipinos,” Marcos said, as reported by Reuters.

The president on Thursday vowed to implement countermeasures against “illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous attacks” carried out by China’s coast guard.

His order expanded and reorganized the government’s maritime council, adding a national security adviser, attorney general, head of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and a South China Sea task force.

The order appears to expand the role of the military to include the Armed Forces of the Philippines, not just the navy, among the agencies supporting the council.

The renamed National Maritime Council will be the central body to formulate strategies to ensure an “integrated, coordinated and effective” framework for the Philippines’ maritime security and domain awareness.

Marcos increased the number of institutions supporting the council to 13 from nine, including the space agency and the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.

(ahm)