Manila: Amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines is set to acquire five patrol vessels from Japan for a total cost of ₱23.9 billion (S$556 million). This strategic move aims to bolster the Philippines’ maritime defense capabilities in a region fraught with disputes.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs announced on May 17 that the deal, financed through a Japanese loan, was formalized with the signing by Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya.
“This occasion signifies not only the deepening of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan but also underscores our unwavering commitment to enhancing our maritime safety capabilities for the benefit of our nation and the broader maritime community,” stated Manalo.
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Japan is a major provider of overseas development assistance to the Philippines, and this latest deal reflects the growing strategic partnership between the two nations. Currently, the Philippine Coast Guard operates two 97-meter patrol vessels, which are part of a fleet considered insufficient for the extensive patrolling needed in the vast archipelago. These vessels have recently been involved in several confrontations with Chinese coast guard ships near disputed reefs in the South China Sea, an area almost entirely claimed by Beijing.
Philippine Coast Guard boats have also faced water cannon attacks from the China Coast Guard, with the most recent incident occurring on April 30 near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal. This shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, lies 240 kilometers west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from Hainan, the nearest major Chinese landmass.
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Despite the historical backdrop of Japan’s invasion and occupation of the Philippines during World War II, the two countries have forged strong ties through trade, investment, and now, increasingly, security cooperation to counter China’s regional assertiveness. In a significant development, Manila and Tokyo are negotiating a defense pact that would allow troop deployments on each other’s territories. This move comes after a trilateral summit in Washington last month, attended by leaders from Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, signaling a unified front against common regional challenges.
Tensions over the South China Sea and China’s claims to the self-governing island of Taiwan have led the United States to strengthen its alliances in the region. Beijing’s extensive claims over the South China Sea have been a point of contention, dismissing rival claims from other countries, including the Philippines, and ignoring an international tribunal ruling that found its claims lacked legal basis.
