Philippines to match China’s gray zone tactics in South China Sea (archived)

China and Philippines in another near clash over contested sea feature as both sides jockey for position ahead of Trump’s arrival

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For China’s maritime forces, they simply undertook routine operations and “necessary control measures” to protect the Asian power’s maritime claims based on the so-called “nine-dash line,” a sprawling map that was rejected as “illegal” by an international court at The Hague [Permanent Court of Arbitration]* under the auspices of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 2016.

China rejected the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling*, which lacked an enforcement mechanism.

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The new tensions coincided with the Philippines’ latest joint naval drills with Japan and the US in the South China Sea. The drills brought together the Philippine Navy ship BRP Andres Bonifacio and a C-90 small plane, a US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft and Japan’s Murasame-class destroyer JS Samidare.

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For the Philippines, on the other hand, the status quo is increasingly unsustainable. It’s now mulling the deployment of naval assets for routine patrol missions, a muscular move that could spark new tensions and draw a more forceful response from China’s far larger navy.

Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Ezpeleta has also floated the possibility of using unconventional tactics to better defend Philippine claims.

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The Philippine naval chief refused to provide more details on the country’s next moves. Similar to India, which has been engaged in various clashes with Chinese forces in disputed territories in the Himalayas, the Philippines might consider the use of physical force sans weapons to resist harassment by Chinese marine forces.

It may also consider relying on more auxiliary forces [CAFGU] as well as expanded support from more civil society missions to the disputed areas.

Heavier reliance on drones, large transport ships and fast patrol boats is also likely under consideration to sustain Philippine resupply missions that China has previously harassed in disputed waters. The option of welcoming direct joint patrols and an expanded over-the-horizon American military presence is also known to be on the table.

Related:

*What’s Really Going On In the South China Sea Between the Philippines and China

While 60 Minutes did state that “in 2016, an international tribunal at The Hague ruled the Philippines has exclusive economic rights in a 200-mile zone that includes Sabina Shoal” and that “China does not recognize the ruling”, their statements were misleading.  The South China Sea Arbitration did not rule on sovereignty, and China does not recognize it because the Arbitral Tribunal lacked jurisdiction. “The Arbitral Tribunal violated the principle of state consent, exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires and rendered an award in disregard of the law. This is a grave violation of UNCLOS and general international law, Wang said.”  The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international treaty that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities.  The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is not an agency of the United Nations. The PCA rents space in the same building as the UN’s International Court of Justice.  A Congressional Research Service report, dated August 2023, stated that the U.S. has not declared its position regarding sovereignty over any of the geographical elements that comprise the South China Sea.  

US, Japan’s emboldening of Philippines amid SCS tensions ‘destructive to regional peace’

One day before the joint drill, the Philippines and Japan on Thursday signed a 1.6-billion-yen ($10.65 million) security assistance deal to boost Manila’s maritime security and surveillance abilities, Reuters reported. 

Japan will provide the Philippine Navy with equipment such as rigid-hulled inflatable boats and coastal radar systems under its Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) programme, while The Philippine Air Force will receive equipment to support its air surveillance radar system from Tokyo, Reuters** said. 

The DFA said the assistance from Japan will improve the country’s “capabilities to deter threats to peace, stability over-the-horizon security in the Indo-Pacific region,” per the Phil Star.***

**Japan grants Philippines $11 million in security aid to bolster defences

***Japan grants P611 million security aid to Philippines

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