War Games Begin Amid China-Philippines Tension

U.S. troops are within the Philippines this month for the 28th annual exercises so that it will include war games within the South China Sea. Near 8,000 troops from both countries are scheduled to take part. This year's drills are scheduled to appear in three locations including Palawan, a nearly 600-kilometer-manhattan bordering the ocean and are available amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China over a disputed island chain.

Restricted areas

Army spokesman Major Emmanuel Garcia says all activities may be restricted to areas clearly under Philippine sovereignty.

"These exercises may be done near shore of the Palawan group of islands," Garcia explained.  "There isn't a way that we are going to conduct most of these military exercises on contested, or on waters that aren't ours.  Clearly all exercises may be done on Philippine territory."

China claims practically the complete South China Sea as its territory, in line with old maps.  That has put it in conflict with other countries bordering the ocean, a rich fishing ground and potential source of major oil and gas reserves. China also accuses the usa of emboldening other claimants to the ocean through actions comparable to the arrival military exercise.  

Numerous times up to now year, the Philippines has complained of Chinese vessels interfering with activities within Manila's exclusive economic zone, which extends for 370 kilometers from its coastline under international law. China has repeatedly insisted it was acting legally within its own waters.

Clear message

That means this year’s military exercises shouldn't be perceived as routine, in line with Carl Thayer who makes a speciality of security in Southeast Asia on the University of recent South Wales.  He notes the drills are always choreographed to make certain they stay out of disputed waters.

"But nonetheless they send a transparent message of the Philippines increase military capability, the U.S. willing to support the Philippines and [being] a deterrent to China," Thayer noted.  "That it could see a rustic, which during the past, was quite a pushover militarily.  It’s still a weakling, but it’s developing strength and that China’s behavior is pushing a minimum of the Aquino administration a growing number of into inquiring for greater American, more frequent American presence."

Last month, Philippine President Benigno Aquino said the rustic is open to U.S. troops stopping here more often. The welcoming message comes at a time when the U.S defense agenda is shifting toward Asia.

Beneficial partnership

Rommel Banlaoi says the U.S. also benefits from the partnership.  Banlaoi is executive director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Terrorism and Violence Research.

"The Philippines is a democracy, and having a democracy ally in Asia is nice for america in relation to democracy promotion on the planet," he said. "Secondly, by having a good relationship with the Philippines, the us is usually in a position to continue projecting its influence in Southeast Asia.”  

Apart from the high-profile military exercise, the usa helps the Philippines acquire affordable military hardware. In August, Manila augmented its tiny naval fleet with a previously U.S.-owned Hamilton class cutter, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, and it expects to take possession of another this year.

The Philippines has also received promises of support from U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and ranking U.S. senators who visited early this year.

"Those commitments could imply that the us would indeed be sure to return to the Philippine defense in the event that they get right into a dust-up with the Chinese over a territorial dispute,” said Patrick Cronin, senior director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program on the Center for brand new American Security.

"And while a Philippine-US alliance does indeed promise that the us will come to the defense of the Philippines often, it doesn’t necessarily imply that it follows in all the gray areas and disputed areas,"  he added. "Especially within the maritime boundaries.”

Neutrality

Cronin reiterates what the U.S. has stated repeatedly, that it'll remain neutral in terms of territorial disputes within the South China Sea.

Furthermore, Thayer says the Philippines must demonstrate that it could take responsibility for its own defense.

"The u. s. is seeking allies and strategic partners to hold more of the heavy lifting at a time of budget cuts.  So the more Philippine ships patrol the waters and the U.S. will help in what’s called maritime domain awareness, the more the Philippines can assert its own sovereignty, first,” he said.

A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Manila says China’s response to the joint military exercises is that it hopes the countries concerned can do more for peace and stability within the region.

From WhatNewsToday.net

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