Taiwan, Ukraine, and Gaza dominate the news cycle, but the United States’ commitment to its allies is nowhere more at risk than in the Philippines. The recent violent incident involving the China Coast Guard (CCG) preventing the Philippines from resupplying its outpost on Second Thomas Shoal highlights the escalating tensions and demonstrates China’s willingness to use force to achieve its objectives in the South China Sea.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. The Chinese have been steadily increasing their interference with Philippine Coast Guard and Navy resupply efforts, employing increasingly aggressive tactics. In this latest incident, the Chinese used knives, axes, spears, lasers, and sound weapons to attack Philippine boats, injuring a sailor, damaging and seizing Philippine vessels, and stealing property. This brazen assault underscores China’s determination to assert control over the disputed waters and potentially push the Philippines into surrendering its territorial claims.
While the Philippines is unable to match China’s military strength, the United States has a treaty obligation to defend its ally. However, the US has a history of failing to fulfill its commitments in the South China Sea, notably in the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff and the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling. This inaction has eroded trust and fueled doubts about the US’s reliability as a partner.
The Philippines is caught in a precarious position, with its sovereignty challenged and its ability to defend its interests jeopardized. The US must act decisively to demonstrate its commitment to the Philippines and prevent further Chinese encroachment.
The United States must take concrete actions beyond mere statements of concern. Accompanying Philippine vessels with US Navy ships and aircraft, assisting in resupplying Second Thomas Shoal, and helping the Philippines build a permanent structure to defend it are necessary steps. The US should also consider sending naval forces to Scarborough Shoal to remove Chinese vessels operating illegally in Philippine waters.
Furthermore, the US should employ asymmetric pressure against China, such as suspending the People’s Bank of China’s access to the US dollar system and banning technology exports. These actions would demonstrate the US’s resolve and send a clear message to Beijing that aggression will have consequences.
Failing to act decisively will only embolden China and weaken the US’s standing in the region. The US has a moral and strategic imperative to stand with the Philippines and uphold the international rules-based order in the South China Sea.
The time for words is over. The US must act now to defend its ally and ensure a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region.
