PH Defenses Down: Tracking Island Development in the South China Sea

Screengrab from GMA News’ Youtube account.

CHEERS TO the Philippine Daily Inquirer for an in-depth report on the progress of construction of claimant countries in the South China Sea and to GMA-7 for providing additional visual information.

Without military resources, the country faces the challenge of China’s build-up on the country’s territory in the West Philippine Sea. How should Filipinos understand this issue and the obligation of government to assure national defense and security?  Official statements suggest that the country is helpless and should just continue its policy of accommodating China. These two reports are valuable updates about the response of neighboring countries.

The Inquirer reported that the Philippines has been “left behind” by China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan in developing the islands in the waterway. Occupying nine natural features known as the Kalayaan Island Group, the Philippines has not begun construction and repair of facilities in Pag-asa Island (international name Thitu), the largest and only inhabited one in the group. In contrast, other claimants now have “sprawling military outposts,” as shown in the photos that the Inquirer provided. This, despite the Duterte administration’s allocation of PHP1.6 billion for the island’s development (“PH outdone by rivals in developing reefs“).

Former Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon pointed out to the Inquirer that the previous administration opted to wait for the decision on the Philippines-China arbitration case before doing major constructions to maintain its “moral high ground.” The International Arbitral Tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016, after the inauguration of the Duterte presidency.

The Inquirer interviewed an unnamed Philippine Air Force pilot, who said the short and unpaved runway on Pag-asa Island makes landing difficult, the tires of medium-lift cargo planes blowing out in some instances due to intense braking. The rusting ship BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal (international name Second Thomas), which had been stationed there since 1999, is manned by a small Marine garrison guarding Philippine territory.

The Inquirer recalled a recent statement from Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, saying that the current administration would rather spend money on education or health than build defenses on the Philippine-held features. This is why “the Philippines has done little, if at all, in developing its outposts in the Spratlys compared to its rivals,” the Inquirer said.

The broadsheet also interviewed Carlyle Thayer of the University of New South Wales’ Australian Defense Force Academy and Alexander Neill of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, who both agreed the country’s approach to the South China Sea issue lacks clear direction and that a strategic approach is needed.

GMA-7’s Saksi aired a similar report, which used photos from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative’s (AMTI) island tracker showing minimal development in the Philippine-held islands, in contrast to China’s extensive construction. Saksi interviewed maritime expert Prof. Jay Batongbacal, who said efforts to build defenses have been held back by the administration in exchange for China’s loans and aid.

Saksi also reported that Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano is lodging an impeachment complaint against President Duterte for failure to uphold sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and Benham Rise. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the complaint has no legal basis (“Palasyo, hindi nababahala sa planong impeachment laban kay PRRD“).