AFP eyes joint resupply missions with allies amid tensions in WPS

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it was exploring possible joint resupply missions with other countries in the West Philippine Sea following a diplomatic row with China over two collisions in the area.

On Sunday, Chinese coast guard and militia ships tried to block Philippine resupply vessels on their way to Ayungin Shoal, resulting in collisions that damaged BRP Cabra and civilian ship Unaizah May 2.

“We’re still studying that, it’s another option,” AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said in the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, when asked about joint resupply missions with allies.

Brawner said authorities were also considering using a Philippine Navy vessel for the resupply missions. Navy vessels are better equipped for such operations, he said.

The AFP chief also said that the resupply missions should continue as ordered by President Marcos.

“We will admit, we’re worried, but as mentioned by [Defense Secretary] Gibo Teodoro, the AFP is willing to defend our territory. We are one of the most experienced armed forces in the world,” he said.

In 2016, the Philippines won its case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

China however, continues to ignore that ruling.

Other claimants in the South China Sea include Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

Teodoro said they were taking steps to counter the “false narratives” spread by Chinese propagandists.

“Disinformation and information operators are in the playbook of China. We are countering the narratives by information operations such as this — me explaining to our countrymen why they should not believe in China’s narratives,” Teodoro said.

Chinese narrative is this is all a play by the United States and we are just marionettes, puppets… of the Americans, following their playbook,” he added.

These accusations are insulting to Filipinos, he said, because “it assumes we do not have the ability to think for ourselves and stand up for our own rights.”

The defense chief also said that swarming and other illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea are part of China’s plans to occupy the whole South China Sea.

The Philippines, meanwhile, is just defending its right under international law, he added.

“This is an affront to our territorial integrity and is a ridiculous assertion of international law or revision of international law to suit their expansionist ends,” he said.

“They are also planting disinformation in the country in order to weaken the political will and unity of this country. So we need to be united here. Let’s not believe China’s disinformation,” he said.

A US State Department study says China is spending billions of dollars globally to spread disinformation and threatening to cause a “sharp contraction” in freedom of speech around the world.

The National Security Council (NSC), meanwhile, said it is monitoring some influencers and groups that it says tend to echo China’s sentiments on the West Philippine Sea.

NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya first talked about these groups in an interview with the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, where he said there might be a Chinese information operation in the country.

He also noted how these people share videos from China, despite the existence of videos and accounts from members of the media who were onboard the BRP Cabra.

Meanwhile, four American lawmakers expressed support for the Philippine government following the incident near Ayungin Shoal.

House foreign affairs committee chairman Michael McCaul, ranking member Gregory Meeks, along with subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific chairwoman Young Kim and ranking member Ami Bera, issued the statement and called out China over what they called “maritime intimidation” in the South China Sea.

“We unequivocally support the Philippines and condemn the unlawful actions by the Chinese Coast Guard in the South China Sea,” the statement read.

“The Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels intentionally hit Philippine Coast Guard ships over the weekend and continue to violate international law, endanger Filipino crew members, and obstruct Philippine vessels’ access in their own exclusive economic zone,” it added.

The four legislators believe that the incident is part of a “larger pattern” of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, the maritime militia, and the Chinese Coast Guard’s “aggressive and provocative behavior in the South China Sea, where it actively intrudes in other states exclusive economic zones.”

“We condemn Beijing’s maritime intimidation and welcome the Biden administration’s announcement to increase joint patrols with the Philippines and other partners in the South China Sea,” the lawmakers said.

They also lauded the Biden administration for reaffirming its commitment to upholding its obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty in case of an armed attack against the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.

Last month, the Indo Pacific-Subcommittee discussed the situation in the contested sealane and held a hearing titled “Lasers and Water Cannons: Exposing the CCP’s Harassment in the South China Sea.”

The Oct. 22 incident drew international attention and support from Japan, South Korea, Canada, European Union, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Denmark.

On Oct. 23, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tokyo is concerned over the “recent surge in tensions in the South China Sea,” including the dangerous action that caused a collision between Chinese and Filipino ships.

“Japan believes that the issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community including Japan, and thus Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea,” it said.

The Japanese government said it would continue to cooperate with the international community, including the US and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to “protect free, open, and peaceful seas.”

Despite the heightened tension, Teodoro said that it is unlikely for China to attack and take over the country’s territories in the WPS.

“In my opinion, they will have second thoughts about doing that. Number one, the world knows what they are doing there, and many nations are against what they are doing… and also it is common sense that they would not do that if they want to convince the world that their intentions are peaceful,” Teodoro said in an interview with radio dzRH.

Teodoro said the Philippines has the right and obligation to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction.

Teodoro reiterated the need to continue building up the AFP for it to have a “credible defense posture” and continue coordinating with the country’s allies and partners to contain China’s illegal activities in the WPS.

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