30-8-2024 (MANILA) The United States has extended a hand of support to the Philippines, offering to escort Manila’s resupply missions to its outposts in the hotly contested South China Sea, according to a statement made by the Philippine military chief on Thursday. This offer comes in the wake of escalating efforts by Beijing to obstruct these crucial missions.
General Romeo Brawner, addressing a news conference in the northern city of Baguio following discussions with US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo, revealed that while the offer is appreciated, the Philippines would only consider accepting it under dire circumstances. “We’re pleased that the US has presented us with various options, including joining or escorting our rotation and resupply missions,” Brawner stated. He emphasised that such assistance would only be sought if the situation deteriorated to a point where life-saving provisions could not be delivered and troops were “on the verge of dying”.
Admiral Paparo, present at the conference, succinctly confirmed the US stance, stating, “We stand ready,” without delving into specifics.
The past year has witnessed a series of increasingly hostile confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels during attempts to resupply Filipino troops, coast guard personnel, and fishermen at various shoals, including Second Thomas, Sabina, and Scarborough. China’s assertive claim over the majority of the South China Sea, despite an international ruling dismissing its legal basis, has led to heightened tensions in the region.
Recent incidents have further strained relations, with two collisions occurring this month near Sabina Shoal, where the Philippine Coast Guard has anchored a ship to prevent Chinese seizure of the reef ring. A more alarming incident on 17 June at Second Thomas Shoal resulted in a Filipino sailor losing a thumb during a clash with Chinese coast guard members, who reportedly wielded knives, sticks, and an axe to thwart a Philippine Navy resupply attempt.
These escalating confrontations have raised concerns about the potential involvement of the United States in an armed conflict with China, given its longstanding alliance and mutual defence treaty with the Philippines.
General Brawner revealed that discussions between Washington and Manila have explored various options to ensure the continued supply of essential provisions to Filipino personnel, even as Chinese ships maintain their patrol of surrounding waters. However, he stressed that the Philippines had not yet exhausted its own resources and would persist in conducting resupply missions “unilaterally” for the time being.
“We’ll only request assistance if all other avenues have been exhausted,” Brawner affirmed. He noted that Manila had successfully employed a helicopter to deliver supplies to the BRP Teresa Magbanua, a Philippine Coast Guard vessel anchored at Sabina Shoal since April to prevent Chinese encroachment.
Earlier in the week, Admiral Paparo, speaking to reporters in Manila, had described the “escort of one vessel” as “an entirely reasonable option within our Mutual Defence Treaty”, underscoring the US commitment to its Philippine allies.
