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Philippines, Japan, and the US Unite Against China's Maritime Aggression

Maggie Johnson

By Maggie Johnson

December 12, 2024

Image Credit: “Philippines Says 220 Chinese Boats Have Encroached in South China Sea” available at Yahoo Images (12/12/2024).


The Philippines, Japan, and the United States stood united. They voiced significant concerns over China's ongoing harassment of Philippine vessels within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) during their inaugural Trilateral Maritime Dialogue held in Tokyo. The three countries, in a display of solidarity, expressed alarm over China's dangerous and unlawful actions in the South China Sea, specifically the repeated blocking and harassment of Philippine vessels, which threatens freedom of navigation and overflight. They also reiterated their commitment to upholding international law, particularly emphasizing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stressed the productive and dynamic discussions between the three nations on regional maritime issues and establishing formal trilateral cooperation. This dialogue was a major milestone in enhancing the collaboration between the Philippines, Japan, and the US on maritime concerns, focusing on securing a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. The countries reiterated their unwavering support for peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea, instilling hope for a harmonious future. They agreed that the trilateral dialogue would serve as a durable foundation for future coordination on regional maritime challenges.

Japan and the US also strongly expected that all parties involved in the disputes would comply with the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which disputed China's broad claims in the South China Sea and supported the Philippines' South China Sea claims. Japan emphasized the deepening bilateral maritime cooperation between the US and the Philippines and between Japan and the Philippines. The three countries discussed strengthening trilateral cooperation further, with an emphasis on joint maritime activities, combined training, law enforcement, and capacity-building for coastguards.

The Trilateral Maritime Dialogue emerged from the first-ever Philippines-Japan-US Trilateral Leaders' Summit held in April at the White House. At this summit, the three leaders committed to deeper cooperation across various sectors, particularly maritime security, to support a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Following the summit, US President Joe Biden, Philippine President Marcos, and former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the establishment of the dialogue to better coordinate responses to maritime issues in the region.

DFA Undersecretary Ma led the Philippine delegation to the dialogue, including Theresa Lazaro and senior officials from the Department of National Defense, the National Security Council, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The US delegation included senior representatives such as Assistant Secretary Daniel Kritenbrink and Coast Guard Director Holly Haverstick. Assistant Foreign Minister Nakamura Ryo headed Japan's delegation. After the dialogue, Lazaro confirmed that the Philippines would host the next Trilateral Maritime Dialogue in 2025.

In a related development, the Philippine Navy reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), continuing patrols to protect national interests despite the provocative actions of the Chinese military, such as the repeated blocking and harassment of Philippine vessels. Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad clarified that the Navy's posture has remained unchanged despite China's aggressive tactics. He emphasized that the Philippine Navy would refrain from being provoked into responding aggressively as the Philippines strives to reduce regional tensions while defending its territorial rights.

President Marcos had earlier rejected the idea of deploying warships to the WPS in response to a recent incident on December 4, where Chinese forces harassed Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels near Panatag Shoal, a territory also claimed by the Philippines. Marcos stated that deploying warships would escalate tensions, reaffirming that the Philippines does not seek conflict but instead focuses on resupplying Filipino fishermen and protecting territorial rights.

Rear Admiral Trinidad reiterated that while the Philippine Navy maintains its presence in the region, it does so with a strategic, measured approach, ensuring the audience of the country's secure and confident defense strategy. The Navy will not react impulsively to China's unlawful actions. He pointed to the ongoing modernization of the Armed Forces, including the AFP's Re-Horizon 3 program, which would enhance military capabilities across land, sea, air, and cyber domains. Trinidad assured the public that the Philippine military remains strong and committed to defending the nation's territorial integrity, emphasizing that the Philippines would never concede any portion of its territory.

Meanwhile, the PCG has continued to focus on upholding international maritime laws and ensuring the safety of Filipino vessels and fishermen in the WPS. PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism and calm in the face of China's provocations while acknowledging the agency's preparedness for countermeasures against tactics such as using high-intensity lasers by Chinese forces. Despite ongoing tensions, the PCG remains resolute in its commitment to defending Philippine territorial waters.


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