The LCS has just what the Navy needs to defend freedom of the seas in the first island chain.
Littoral Combat Ships for Maritime COIN
Previously:
Littoral Combat Ship Still Fighting to Prove Its Worth
Bringing Vietnamese Counterinsurgency To The Philippines And South China Sea (Part I) – Analysis
The Philippine government has not acted upon several concept papers that China submitted almost a year ago that proposed ways to normalize the situation in disputed areas of the South China Sea, a ranking Chinese official said over the weekend.
PH ignored China’s proposals on sea row
Previously:
As a result of the incident, Powell thinks that Manila “has the right to expect a more muscular response from its partners and allies.” After last year’s incidents, both the U.S. and Australia held joint maritime and aerial patrols with Philippine military forces in the South China Sea. The Philippines expects to hold more joint patrols with not only American and Australian forces, but also with countries such as France, Canada and Japan.
…
Yesterday, Philippine President BongBong Marcos vowed that the country would “push back” when its sovereignty was ignored in reference to China’s actions in the region during a speech in Australia. He further stressed that the Philippines’ stance on the South China Sea was guided by its interests, not at the “beck and call” of the United States.
BBM was at the Lowy Institute, a think tank funded by the Australian government, etc.
Related:
Philippines Budgets for a Permanent Base at Second Thomas Shoal
It’s Time to Build Combined Forward Operating Base Sierra Madre
Philippines Game Changer Analysis – Project Myoushu – South China Sea
Australia and the Philippines have signed an agreement to boost collaboration on maritime security, including “promoting respect for international law,” in the latest sign of their deepening defense ties at a time of a growing Chinese military presence in the region.
Australia, Philippines Sign Maritime Accord as China Rises
Activists claim the UK and US use Cyprus as an “unsinkable warship” as recent conflicts in the Middle East spark renewed controversy over British military bases on the Mediterranean island.
UK ‘bases of death’ in Cyprus see controversy amid Middle East conflicts
Previously:
Is the Philippines becoming a US ‘proxy’ against Beijing in the South China Sea?
‘The ants that get trampled on’
Not everyone agrees with drawing closer to the US, however, and they warn about the Philippines turning into a “proxy” for American interests. The president’s own sister Imee, a senator, told ANC Digital earlier this month that “China will always be our neighbour, we have no fight with them, let’s not get dragged into a fight that’s not our own.”
Anna Rosario Malindog-Uy, director of the pro-China Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, wrote in the Manila Times on February 10 that “agreements such as the EDCA, the VFA and the Mutual Defence Treaty have not only cemented the US military presence and influence in the Philippines but also, most importantly, exemplified the Philippines’ dependence on the US in the military and defence sector.”
Teresita Ang See, former president of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies and currently part of its advisory council, told This Week in Asia: “Filipinos in general condemn China’s action. But many also understand that China’s assertiveness is in response to US, Japanese and Australian provocations and increasing military presence in the Philippines.”
She warned that “we are fighting a proxy war between the US and China and in the end we will be the ants that get trampled upon”.
H/T: Johnsonwkchoi
Related:
Responding to the Catholic Bishops
Philippines counts the cost of tough South China Sea stance against Beijing
MANILA –“We are not satisfied with minimum [deterrence capability alone]…movement is life, stagnation is death,” Colonel Micheal Logico, a top strategist at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), recently told this reporter when asked about the country’s evolving defense strategy.“We [need] to elevate ourselves into a world-class armed forces,” he added.
Philippines Gunning For Fast And Massive Military Build-Up
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Hungry Pinoys highest so far under Marcos government
Philippines Conducts Joint Exercises With U.S. In S. China Sea
Batanes eyed for Balikatan military drills
Report: US Military Advisors Deployed to Taiwan-Controlled Islands on China’s Coast
POLITICIANS like Jinggoy Estrada and Risa Hontiveros, who think being vehemently against China will make them so popular for a higher position, had better do some hard thinking.
81 percent of Filipinos worried over US-China tensions
Beijing still has plenty of countermeasures it could use against Manila if tensions between the two countries continue to escalate in the South China Sea, according to a seasoned legal expert who specialises in the region.
Beijing has ‘a lot of legal weapons’ to challenge Manila’s claims in South China Sea, international law expert says
Guyana to strengthen its military capability
The disclosure that steps were being taken to boost the military capacity of the GDF came after President Ali, Vice President Jagdeo and GDF Chief-0f-Staff Brigadier Omar Khan met with former Retired Four Star US General Wesley K. Clark at State House ion December 19.l. Mr Jagdeo said no “formal” decision has been taken to hire him. “We had a good meeting with General Clark. There has been no formal decision as to whether he will be hired or not but he is a solid person,” Mr Jagdeo said, noting that he was head of the United States Southern Command and ex NATO Commander.
Related:
No decision yet on hiring retired four star US general – Jagdeo
Government is impressed with Clark’s experience, according to Jagdeo, who pointed to operations he undertook for NATO and SOUTHCOM.
President of Guyana met with NATO general who led bomber to Yugoslavia
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 
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