Richard Heydarian

Opinion | The Philippines must think fast to handle South China Sea disputes

As tensions with China escalate, Philippine strategists are divided on how to protect the Southeast Asian nation’s maritime security

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A Chinese coastguard ship is seen from the Philippine coastguard vessel BRP Cabra during a supply mission to Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea, on August 26. Photo: AFP

Richard Heydarian

Published: 5:30am, 17 Sep 2024Updated: 9:24am, 17 Sep 2024

“Every option between the two sovereign nations in terms of our mutual defence, escort of one vessel to the other, is an entirely reasonable option within our Mutual Defence Treaty, among this close alliance between the two of us” said the US Indo-Pacific Command chief, Samuel Paparo, during a recent trip to Manila amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.

“We certainly have prepared a range of options and [we stand] ready, if so called, after consultations in accordance with the treaty, to execute those shoulder to shoulder with our ally,” he said, underscoring a growing sense of urgency in Washington over its ally’s near-clashes with China in the hotly-disputed waters.

Months after an escalating stand-off over the Second Thomas Shoal, last month the Philippines and China found themselves at loggerheads over yet another strategic feature, the Sabina Shoal. Both neighbours accused each other of provocative actions after Chinese and Philippine coastguard vessels collided.

The Philippine coastguard says that its flagship vessel sustained damage, raising fears over Manila’s ability to sustain its patrol and resupply missions across the South China Sea

What particularly alarms Filipinos is China’s overall preponderance of force, including the ability to deploy a massive armada across disputed areas. As many as 203 Chinese militia and coastguard vessels were recently stationed in contested waters.

Influential Filipino strategists have called on the Ferdinand Marcos Jnr administration to seek military help from allies for joint resupply and patrol missions in the South China Sea. Nevertheless, Philippine officials are still divided on the course ahead.