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Contrary to what the United States (US) and their devoted Filipino Fans promised, the tighter Military Alliance between the US and the Philippines and the presence of US Military Bases on Philippine Soil has not deterred China in any Way in pursuing their Territorial Claims in the South China Sea (SCS) against the Philippines.
In Fact, based on China’s recent Actions, the opposite is happening, China it seems has become more determined to fight for their Territorial Claims. The first of these Actions was when China, for the very first time ever in the History of the Relations between China and the Philippines, conducted a Naval Drill within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
This was confirmed by no less than the Philippine Navy (PN) itself when they revealed that Chinese Warships belonging to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) conducted a Naval Drill around the Vicinity of Sabina Shoal, which is within the Philippines’ EEZ from June 4 to 11, 2024.
A Landing Ship, a Warship, and two other Support Vessels were involved in the Drills which included the Launching and Recovery of Aircraft and Hovercraft, among other Activities.
The second Action by China is the more serious one, in again another first in the History of Philippine-China Relations, China Coast Guard (CCG) Personnel boarded Philippine Vessels in Ayungin Shoal.
The Chinese Reports said that a Supply Ship and two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) of the Philippines were attempting to deliver Supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) Vessel when they collided with Chinese Ships. These were then boarded, inspected and driven away.
The Philippine Side later confirmed the boarding, and added more Details such as how several PN Personnel were hurt in the Incident, including one who lost his Thumb when it got caught between two colliding Vessels.
Some of the RHIBs were reportedly deliberately punctured, their Navigational Equipment smashed and their Motors destroyed. The CCG also reportedly used blaring Sirens and Strobe Lights to disorient the PN Personnel. Tear Gas and Rocks also were thrown against the Members of the Philippine Side.
Around seven Assault Rifles were also confiscated by the CCG from the PN Soldiers, and the Philippines had been asking for these back from China.
The US and their devout Pinoy Fans promised that when Military Bases in the Philippines are given to the US under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), China will be “deterred” from moving against the Philippines and that the Philippines will then be “Negotiating from a Position of Strength” against China.
But clearly as we can see from China’s latest Actions, that is not exactly happening at all, they are not being “deterred” and they don’t clearly see the Philippines now as in a “Position of Strength”. In fact they have been emboldened to set an Example with the Philippines, and the US so far has not given any worthwhile support to the Philippines.
All the US has given so far are “Moral Statements of Support”, and “Warnings” to China. They have not acted publicly to accompany and protect Philippine Troops in Ayungin Shoal. So in the End, this Administration of President Bong Bong Marcos (PBBM) needs to review its Foreign Policy of being Pro-US and Anti-China and come up with something that will work in the Real World.
SOURCES:
* US Renews Warning It's Obligated to Defend the Philippines After Its New Clash with China at Sea {Archived Link}
* Armed Forces of the Philippines Facebook Page Post, 06/19/24 – 2350H {Archived Link}
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| China not afraid of US-Philippine Alliance, holds Navy Drills in EEZ, harms Filipino Soldiers |
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