Military officials from the Philippines and the United States announced the commencement of joint patrols in waters near Taiwan on Tuesday, November 21. This is an initiative that is likely to inflame tensions further between the Philippines and China.
This year has seen a dramatic increase in the number of security-related engagements between the treaty partners, such as the decision to nearly double the number of Philippine bases the US is allowed access to (including ones that face Taiwan) and the execution of their largest-ever joint military practice in April.
This three-day joint maritime and air exercise was a "significant initiative" to strengthen coordination between the two forces, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remarked. "I am confident that this collaboration will contribute to a more secure and stable environment for our people," he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Today marks the beginning of joint maritime and air patrols— a collaborative effort between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Indo-Pacific Command in the West Philippine Sea.
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) November 21, 2023
This significant initiative is a testament to our commitment to bolster the…
Joint Air and Sea Exercise
Eugene Cabusao, spokesman for the Northern Luzon command, said the exercise will begin on Mavulis island, the northernmost point of the Philippines situated around 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Taiwan. It will end at the West Philippine Sea, the name Manila gives to the area of the South China Sea that is inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
According to Reuters, the US will deploy a littoral combat ship and a P8-A maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, while the Philippines will provide three naval vessels, two FA-50 light combat aircraft, and an A-29B Super Tucano light attack jet.
The report comes after Marcos warned of the dire situation in the South China Sea and the growing proximity of Chinese military forces to the Philippine shore.
This is a hint that the Philippines is increasing its defense posture in response to what it calls China's "dangerous and offensive" actions in the area, which has long been considered a possible hotspot between the US and China.
Jay Batongbacal, head of Manila's Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, also said that the combined patrol with the US demonstrated Manila was taking a position over the South China Sea. "It shows that the Philippines is really firming up its posture on West Philippine Sea issues."
Strained Ties
Using a "nine-dash line" that extends up to 1,500 km (900 miles) south of the mainland, China claims most of the South China Sea. This line overlaps the EEZs of other nations, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
After a tense relationship with previous President Rodrigo Duterte, who had shifted closer to Beijing in return for infrastructure projects and investments, Marcos has strengthened ties with Washington since taking office last year.
Marcos's administration has worsened tensions with China, with frequent incidents between Chinese and Filipino boats in areas claimed by both nations escalating into verbal confrontations and fears of violence. The tension was recently attempted to be alleviated by Marcos' meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
