Strengthening the country’s defense

In reaction to the assertive behavior of China in recent months, the Philippines is building up its defense through an effort to acquire relatively new military hardware.

Last April, Philippine naval warship BRP Gregorio del Pilar intercepted eight Chinese sea vessels within the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal. In response, China deployed its own surveillance ships in the area to prevent their capture, resulting in what quickly escalated into a two-month long standoff between the two countries.

Scarborough, known also as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag shoal, forms part of South East Asia’s busiest shipping route, and is not far from the oil-rich Spratlys.

The shoal is a haven for rich marine life, and since the late ‘90s, Chinese fishermen have been arrested for using illegal fishing methods and the poaching of endangered species.

The latest incident has once again ratcheted up tensions between China and the Philippines. This is further exacerbated by China’s refusal to settle the dispute multilaterally, preferring instead for a bilateral approach, loosely boasting its efforts to improve its military prowess.

Credible defense capability

Dr. Renato C. De Castro, a professor in the International Studies Department, describes this military initiative as a means for the country to develop a degree of deterrence. He posits that such a move would enable the other side to think twice before engaging.

He cites an example when South Korea deployed armed coast guard vessels in response to reports of Chinese fishing vessels within the South’s waters. Upon seeing the armed vessels, the Chinese pulled back.

The major obstacle towards building military defense is highlighted by the high expense it involves. De Castro states that it is high time the country pays for the costs of security.

When asked about the alternative to resort to a strong legal argument based on international law, he says, “That would be nothing. China would never agree to bring [the dispute to a multilateral approach]. China is basically asking us to just engage in a bilateral approach, and that is fine, at least [we are able] to negotiate from a minimum position of strength.

Number one ally

In an effort to make its presence felt in the Asia-Pacific region, the United States continues to be supportive of the Philippine government’s aims of arms acquisition.

According to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, “The Philippines will seek US assistance in order to achieve a minimum credible defense posture.”

US military aid for the Philippines has boosted to $30 million this year. Last year’s allocation was placed at $11.9 million. Besides this, the US would also be transferring 20 recondition helicopters, a squadron of second-hand fighter jets, and two military ships.

The territorial dispute comes at a crucial time, amid US plans to move the majority of its warships to the region by 2020.  This is in line with President Obama’s announcement that the Asia-Pacific area has now become an important priority in US security policy.

In the annual Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta assures that the US has no intention of containing China. “In a deliberate and sustainable way, the US military is rebalancing, and brings enhanced capabilities to this vital region,” he points out.

Although China has agreed that an increased US presence could boost stability and improve relations, it has cautioned the superpower to refrain from flexing its military muscle, which could result in the endangerment of peace.

De Castro shares that the American support on the side of the Philippines also offers a degree of deterrence. “The US, in a way, is the wildcard; they (China) simply don’t know how the [latter] will respond [in any case in which they’ll start deploying People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ships.”

“What’s at stake at this point is America’s credibility as an alliance partner because if the US will not provide any assistance to us, how do you think other US allies in the region will respond, like South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and of course Australia? So what is at stake here is the credibility of the US as a treaty ally,” he explains.

Relying on the US-PH Treaty

The Philippine government has attempted to invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty in light of the territorial bout with China.

According to Article IV of the Mutual Defense Treaty, an armed attack on any of the allies in the agreement will be met with corresponding action in accordance to the parties’ respective constitutional processes.

In the US, particularly, support from Congress has to be given to any military endeavor, prior to its execution. However, De Castro points out that this is not necessarily the case.

He shares, “During the Korean war, [American troops were dispatched without President Truman’s convening] of congress.  You also have the war in Vietnam [during President Johnson’s administration], where 50,000 troops died in Vietnam without the US declaring war against Vietnam.”

This was also the case in Libya, according to De Castro. Although the Obama administration limited the extent of US intervention in the toppling of the Gaddafi regime, congress did not officially declare war.

He also mentions that the US president, as Commander-in-Chief, could deploy American forces through the War Powers Act of 1974, without congressional consent.

However, he cautions that there is still a level of strategic and diplomatic ambiguity in the Mutual Defense Pact.

Asian arms race

China’s military buildup has prompted the Philippines to engage in its own military spending. Observers may view the initiative by both countries as an arms race, but De Castro argues that the country could never engage China asymmetrically.

He explains that an arms race usually occurs among countries with equal capability, and the situation with China and the Philippines is different.

De C astro empahsizes that the country’s military expenditure cannot compete against China’s increased military spending. He states that the Philippine budget for defense is only less than one percent of its total GNP. According  to him, the only action that can be done is to develop a modest or credible defense capability against China.