For decades, the Philippine military was deeply focused on counterinsurgency, battling separatist Islamist militants in the southern islands, particularly in Mindanao. This was a fight against groups like Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), who posed a significant threat to the country’s internal stability. But today, Philippine defense priorities are changing. The country is shifting its military strategy from internal security to territorial defense, with a keen eye on the rising maritime threats posed by China in the South China Sea.
A Strategic Pivot: Military Overhaul and Maritime Defense
The South China Sea—a crucial waterway rich in resources—has become a hotspot for territorial disputes, with China, the Philippines, and five other countries making competing claims. China’s growing assertiveness in this region, particularly near the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, has made it a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions in Asia. In response, the Philippines is recalibrating its military capabilities, which have for years been geared toward quelling insurgencies, to confronting a more significant external threat from China.
Philippine officials argue that they can now refocus on maritime defense thanks to the relative peace secured with local separatist groups. With the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) under a peace agreement, the military is retooling itself for the next phase: defending Philippine waters against foreign encroachments, particularly from China.
From Jungle Battles to Sea Battles: Military Modernisation
In a historic move, the Philippine Congress allocated the largest share of its military modernisation budget to the navy. For years, military spending primarily went to counterinsurgency, funding operations against militant groups in the jungles of Mindanao. However, the focus is now shifting towards the maritime domain, with significant investments in missiles, fighter jets, and warships.
Why this shift?
The Philippine military needs to overhaul its capabilities to deter potential threats at sea, as China’s maritime presence grows more provocative. The country has long struggled with limited resources and a military focused on land-based operations. But, as tensions rise in the South China Sea, the Philippine Navy is adapting.
Mindanao’s Fragile Peace: Balancing Internal and External Threats
While Philippine leaders are confident that the country has achieved relative peace in Mindanao, the situation is far from stable. Despite the peace deal signed in 2019 with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the region is still grappling with insecurity and rising violence among rival Moro factions.
In fact, conflict monitoring groups indicate that violence in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region is on the rise again. This is primarily due to unresolved political and economic issues, including unfulfilled promises of jobs and development. As a result, some former rebels have returned to their bases, contributing to the resurgence of violence.
The Philippine military’s pivot to maritime defense may be hampered by the need to balance internal peace efforts. After all, it’s difficult to defend your waters if your own backyard is on fire. Rear Adm. Francisco Tagamolila Jr. of the Philippine Navy has expressed concern that the military must focus on securing the South China Sea without neglecting the internal issues in Mindanao.
The Shift to Maritime Security: What’s Changing on the Ground
To counter China’s growing presence in the South China Sea, the Philippine Navy has revamped its strategy. This includes the creation of Joint Task Force-Poseidon, a new command specifically focused on maritime security rather than counterterrorism. The task force is now responsible for monitoring key maritime chokepoints like the Basilan Strait and the Sibutu Passage—two key passages that connect the South China Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
In recent years, Chinese naval ships have regularly passed through the Basilan Strait—a waterway within Philippine territorial waters. While China claims the right to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, the Philippine Navy has ramped up efforts to assert its sovereignty over these contested waters. Rear Admiral Tagamolila has overseen the expansion of surveillance and the upgrading of radar systems to track foreign ships more effectively.
China’s Response: A Rising Tension in the South China Sea
China has strongly objected to the Philippines’ increased military focus on the West Philippine Sea. In response to Philippine provocations, Chinese officials have warned the Philippines against “playing with fire” in the disputed waters. Chinese authorities maintain that they have the right to enjoy “freedom of navigation and overflight” in the South China Sea and continue to blame the Philippines for escalating maritime tensions.
But for the Philippines, this is a delicate balancing act. On one hand, they are trying to modernise their military forces and assert control over their territorial waters; on the other, they must manage the geopolitical ramifications of angering China, a rising global superpower. This tension is not just about military might but also about asserting sovereignty and territorial rights in a region of immense strategic and economic importance.
The Philippines’ Maritime Defense Strategy: Looking Ahead
The Philippine government’s strategy is clear: invest in modern military capabilities, retrain troops for external defense, and strengthen maritime control. But as Mindanao remains an ongoing challenge, Philippine leaders will need to walk a fine line. Ensuring internal peace and security will be essential to the country’s long-term ability to project power at sea.
Key elements of the Philippines’ new approach include:
- Upgrading naval capabilities: The military is purchasing advanced missiles, warships, and fighter jets to counter maritime threats.
- Maritime security focus: The Philippines is moving away from a counterterrorism stance and is investing heavily in maritime defense.
- Regional cooperation: Increased collaboration with the United States and other allies to maintain a balance of power in the South China Sea.
The Road Ahead: Maritime Sovereignty vs. Internal Stability
As the Philippines faces increasing pressure from China in the South China Sea, the country’s ability to focus on maritime defense while maintaining internal stability in Mindanao will be crucial. The ongoing peace efforts with the Moro people are critical to securing a long-term peace in the region, allowing the military to focus on defending its waters and sovereignty.
The challenge for the Philippines is whether it can successfully shift from internal security to external defense while managing the complexities of Mindanao’s fragile peace. Only time will tell whether this pivot will pay off, but the stakes are high for both national security and regional stability.
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