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The ongoing escalations between the Philippines and the Chinese coast guard in the South China Sea have drawn global attention to the region. The latest conflict took place at Escoda Shoal, where the Chinese coast guard surrounded the flagship of the Philippine Coast Guard and engaged in collisions. This marks the seventh skirmish between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea in the past month.
On August 31, the Chinese coast guard vessel 5205 repeatedly rammed the Philippine Coast Guard flagship BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) at Escoda Shoal three times. During the conflict, the hull of the Teresa Magbanua sustained damage, including a hole, and other facilities were affected. Multiple Chinese naval vessels surrounded the 97-meter-long Japanese-made Philippine patrol vessel. Two Chinese navy tugboats of the 837 type also participated in the operation.
Footage captured by the Philippine Coast Guard shows Chinese navy tugboats approaching the left and right sides of the Teresa Magbanua. In previous incidents, including one on June 17, Chinese navy tugboats had towed Philippine vessels away from disputed areas.
On September 1, the U.S. State Department issued a statement condemning China for its “dangerous and escalatory” actions against Philippine lawful maritime activities in the South China Sea. Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that “A Chinese (Communist Party) coast guard vessel intentionally collided three times with a Philippine coast guard vessel exercising navigational freedom in the Philippine exclusive economic zone, causing damage to the vessel and endangering the lives of the personnel on board.”
The statement highlighted this incident as the latest in a series of dangerous and escalatory actions taken by China throughout August in the region, reiterating that the mutual defense treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines also applies to the South China Sea.
Ray Powell, director of the Sea Light Project at Stanford University’s National Security Innovation Center, noted that this was the first time he had observed Chinese military tugboats being deployed to Escoda. Powell speculated that the Chinese naval tugboats might have been intended to tow the Teresa Magbanua away from the area, but he was unsure if the Chinese navy’s actions constituted some form of military intervention. Typically, tugboat assistance is only necessary when a vessel experiences malfunction or inability to move on its own due to certain reasons.
In contrast to reports in Philippine media, Chinese state media blamed the incident on the Philippine Coast Guard. A video released by the Chinese coast guard claimed that the Philippine vessel “intentionally rammed” their ships. However, on-site footage indicated that the collision occurred at the stern of the Teresa Magbanua.
Following the incident, Manila decided to maintain its flagship of the Coast Guard stationed at Escoda and reiterated calls for China to exercise restraint in the waters and skies of the South China Sea. The Philippine National Maritime Commission stated, “We will not succumb to harassment and aggression.”
Since April, the flagship of the Philippine Coast Guard has been facing off with Chinese coast guard, navy, and maritime militia vessels at Escoda. Manila dispatched the Coast Guard flagship to Escoda due to concerns over Chinese attempts to conduct land reclamation in the area, similar to what occurred at Mischief and Subi Reefs, which have now evolved into mature military bases.
Recent weeks have seen a rapid increase in incidents around Escoda, including collisions between three vessels and disruptions to Philippine resupply missions to the shoal. While Manila provided supplies to the Teresa Magbanua via a Coast Guard helicopter on August 28, the Chinese coast guard warned that continued replenishment by aircraft or vessels might lead to more conflict.
Escoda, known as Sabina Shoal in the West, is located approximately 200 kilometers northwest of Palawan, the Philippines. Initially, the largest territorial dispute in the South China Sea concerned the Second Thomas Shoal, where a Philippine warship ran aground. However, in May of this year, the focus shifted to Sabina Shoal with the news of China’s plans to develop it into an artificial island. The area is renowned for its abundant natural gas and other resources.
Aside from disrupting Philippine maritime resupply operations, China damaged three Philippine vessels in disputed areas in August. Additionally, at least three aerial conflicts occurred during this time.
As maritime and aerial tensions intensify, the Philippines have expanded cooperation with old and new partners. Powell suggested that China’s blatant acts of violence would only serve to unite Philippine opponents and make them realize the dangers they face.
On August 30, officials from the Philippines and Vietnam met in Manila, committing to sign a defense agreement by the year’s end.
From August 26 to 30, Admiral Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited the Philippines and met with President Marcos, Defense Minister Teodoro, and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Browner. Paparo and Browner visited the Basa Air Base in Pampanga province, discussing ways to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Philippine armed forces, addressing shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, and negotiating upcoming military exercises and defense exchanges.
Paparo emphasized the importance of the U.S. and Philippine armed forces continuing to strengthen the foundation of collective defense laid by their predecessors. The U.S. and the Philippines will seek modernization development plans, joint planning, and training to support their treaty commitments. Paparo told reporters that as Washington’s oldest treaty ally in the region, the U.S. military escorting Philippine vessels in the South China Sea is among the options.
Paparo explicitly mentioned the possibility of the U.S. Navy escorting Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. This is related to two facts: the U.S. and the Philippines have a mutual defense treaty similar to NATO’s nature, and the Chinese navy has started engaging in conflicts in the gray areas of the South China Sea. It is a clear sign that China may be approaching a very dangerous threshold.
However, Lieutenant General Romeo Browner, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces, stated that Manila would only accept the proposal if unilateral efforts failed.
In addition to deepening the alliance with the U.S., the Philippines appear to be enhancing their own defense capabilities to ensure the ability to combat external aggression. Recently, the Philippine Marine Corps received new armored assault vehicles, support vehicles, and artillery on Mindoro Island, including V-300 armored personnel carriers, fire support platforms, and 105mm and 155mm howitzers, among other Army equipment.
The Philippine Army noted that enhancing the first Marine Brigade stationed in Mindoro Island is crucial for the security of the island’s jurisdiction and maritime territory due to its challenging environment.
Alongside the Army, the Philippine Air Force is considering acquiring new medium-range missiles and modern jet fighters to enhance its military deterrence capabilities.
On August 29, Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro revealed that the Philippines plans to purchase up to 40 modern advanced fighter jets. Manila is currently reviewing quotes from various companies to find the most suitable weapons and equipment for its armed forces but has not disclosed the aircraft models under consideration.
With escalating tensions in the South China Sea in recent weeks, the Philippines are facing the most severe security threat in decades. The Philippines accused China of instigating a series of maritime conflicts resulting in wounded soldiers, damaged ships, and challenges in conducting patrols at sea.
The Philippine military stated that the plan to acquire the latest weapon systems is aimed at forming an effective deterrent in armed conflicts with China. As such, the Philippines first needs to transform its armed forces into a world-class military through capacity-building and self-sufficiency.
Currently, the Philippines possesses the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, acquired under a $375 million agreement signed with India in 2022. The missile has an effective range of over 500 kilometers and cruises at an altitude of approximately 15 kilometers.
Written by: Charlton (A reporter for Epoch Times who has over a decade of military experience, primarily in teaching and technical management roles).
Production: Current Military Affairs Production Team.
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