Philippines mulls ‘grey zone’ tactics to counter Beijing’s aggression in South China Sea

Manila’s Navy chief suggested adopting “grey zone” tactics – coercive actions below armed conflict – which analysts say will differ from Beijing’s

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A Chinese coastguard vessel (left) fires a water cannon at a Philippine fishing vessel near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on December 4. Photo: National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea/AP

Published: 5:25pm, 6 Dec 2024Updated: 5:28pm, 6 Dec 2024

The Philippines’ new navy chief has suggested that the military could adopt its own “grey zone” tactics in the South China Sea to counter those used by Beijing to advance its territorial assertions in the disputed waterway.

However, analysts argue Manila is unlikely to mimic China’s grey zone strategy, such as deploying maritime militias or ramming manoeuvres, due to the Philippines’ reliance on international law and coalition-building.

During his confirmation hearing with the Commission on Appointments in the Senate on Wednesday, Vice-Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta was asked directly by Senator Risa Hontiveros whether the Philippines had its own “grey zone” approaches akin to those used by Beijing.

“How can we establish enough leverage to ensure that we have enough room to manoeuvre diplomatically? What would be our Filipino version of ‘grey zone tactics’ of the Chinese government?” Senator Risa Hontiveros asked Ezpeleta at the hearing.

Ezpeleta replied that the Philippines should deploy more maritime assets in the disputed waterway.

“We have to support the actions of our white ships, such as our coastguard. Another [method] is we have to enhance our maritime domain awareness,” the navy chief said. “I would also like to say that building friends with our allied countries or our like-minded navies is also one way of leveraging. We have a lot of efforts, especially in our modernisation, let’s say for deterrence purposes.”