This 2024, the world has been a witness to numerous tensions between claimant-countries, shifting alliances, and calls for a peaceful resolution of disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
As the year comes to an end, the West Philippine Sea continues to be a critical flashpoint in the geopolitical and security landscape in Southeast Asia.
The Manila Bulletin listed some key moments that highlight the challenges of balancing sovereignty, security, and international cooperation in the important waterway that not only serves as a vital conduit for global trade but is also a crucial factor in shaping the regional order in the years to come.
Bloody resupply mission
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been regularly conducting a rotation and reprovision (RORE) mission for troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
The World War II-era warship was deliberately ran aground by the Philippine Navy in Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to assert the country’s sovereignty in the area as China also claims it as part of its territory, even though the submerged reef is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan, well within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
On June 17, a defining moment in the WPS occurred when China Coast Guard (CCG) forces blocked a regular resupply mission of the AFP to Ayungin Shoal which turned into one of the most violent maritime confrontations between Manila and Beijing in recent years.
Chinese maritime units have frequently interfered with the resupply runs of the AFP. But the June 17 incident was considered an “escalation of tension” by Philippine authorities when a CCG rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) intentionally rammed an AFP boat carrying a group of elite Navy seamen.
Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo, a member of the Naval Special Operations Unit, lost his thumb in the incident due to the impact of the collision.
As if this wasn’t enough, CCG forces also looted the Filipino troops’ rifles, personal cellphones, motors and engines of the AFP’s vessels. They also destroyed communication equipment and other navigational equipment of the Philippine vessels using bladed weapons such as axes, spears and knives.
AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. demanded China to return the troops’ rifles and pay P60 million for damages excluding the injury caused on the Navy seaman. Facundo, on the other hand, returned to duty in the WPS after his severed thumb was reattached by doctors sometime in September.
BRP Teresa Magbanua vs ‘The Monster’
The bloody resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal paved the way for a bilateral consultative mechanism between the Philippines and China in Beijing on July 2 to address their territorial disputes in a peaceful manner.
However, not too long after the diplomatic talks, another tense confrontation between the two countries occurred, this time in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, located 75 nautical miles west of Palawan.
A 12,000-ton, 165-meter ship of the CCG nicknamed “The Monster” (CCG-5901) for its sheer size anchored in Escoda Shoal on July 3 to “intimidate” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship BRP Teresa Magbanua, according to PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.
BRP Teresa Magbanua, the flagship vessel of the PCG and its biggest asset which measures 97 meters, was deployed to Escoda Shoal in April to guard against suspected Chinese reclamation activities in the atoll.
In response to the PCG’s deployment, the CCG also sent “The Monster”, regarded as the world’s largest coast guard vessel, to Escoda Shoal, increasing the tension in the area.
The AFP later revealed that “The Monster” had been conducting intrusive patrols in the Philippine EEZ since June.
From then on, BRP Teresa Magbanua had to endure two more agonizing months of harassment from Chinese forces as it was encircled by a larger flotilla of CCG vessels and Chinese maritime militia, which were emboldened by the presence of “The Monster”.
The maritime showdown between the PCG and CCG ended when BRP Teresa Magbanua returned to its home port on September 14 after a five-month stint. The vessel sustained multiple damages after being repeatedly rammed by CCG vessels, and her crew were dehydrated and sick due to the lack of supplies after the CCG blocked attempts for a resupply operation.
Russian submarine
The AFP was caught by surprise when it detected for the first time a Russian submarine in the Philippine waters last month, before exiting the WPS.
The Russian Pacific Fleet's "UFA 490", a diesel-electric attack submarine, was sighted 80 nautical miles west of Cape Calavite, Occidental Mindoro last Nov. 28.
The submarine’s presence in the Philippines’ waters alarmed many Filipinos, and even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the incident was “very concerning.”
However, the Philippine Navy (PN) allayed pubic fear as it said it immediately deployed assets to monitor and address the situation to ensure the security of Philippine waters.
PN warship BRP Jose Rizal established radio communications with the Russian submarine, which confirmed its identity, crew complacent, and navigational intent, while four different aircraft were also sent to monitor the submarine until it made its way out of the West Philippine Sea, according to Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for West Philippine Sea.
The PN said the Russian submarine was possibly refueling and recharging its batteries while on its way to its port in Vladivostok, Russia when spotted by the AFP. The sighting came in the wake of Russian Pacific Fleet’s announcement that UFA 490 conducted a passage exercise (PASSEX) with Malaysian Navy vessels in the South China Sea on Nov. 25.
Joint sails
There were many other incidents that showed the situation in the West Philippine Sea remains volatile: from Chinese ships and aircraft’s dangerous maneuvers to the use of water cannon, lasers and flares against Philippine vessels and aircraft.
However, the year has also seen greater international support for the Philippines as different countries recognize the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
For example, the AFP conducted multilateral maritime cooperative activities (MMCA) with traditional and new-found allies such as Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and United States among others.
The latest of such initiative was a joint sail on Dec. 6, the fifth AFP-led MMCA, held after China harassed Filipino fishermen and vessels in Bajo de Masinloc and Escoda Shoal.
Many nations also express support for the Philippines’ position in the West Philippine Sea whenever a tense incident would occur between Manila and Beijing.
Looking ahead
For this year, the AFP conducted more than 300 maritime sovereignty and surveillance patrol operations, over 100 air surveillance flights, and more than 60 RORE missions to nine features occupied by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea since January 1.
President Marcos Jr. also enacted new laws establishing a system of sea lanes and air routes for foreign vessels and aircraft, and clarifying the country’s jurisdiction over its contiguous zone and EEZ.
AFP chief Brawner said that the military’s operations in the West Philippine Sea would be enhanced in 2025.
“In the West Philippine Sea, the AFP has been undaunted in asserting our sovereignty. With modernized tools and strategic international partnerships, we carry on in strengthening our maritime presence, securing our exclusive economic zone, and upholding the principles of international law,” he said during the AFP’s 89th anniversary celebration last Dec. 20.
“This mission goes beyond defending territorial claims. It is about preserving ideals that define us as a nation. At the heart of this effort is the AFP Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, a visionary strategy that harmonizes our military capabilities with the unique geographic realities of the Philippines, ensuring a robust and sustainable defense of our maritime domain,” he continued.
“As we look ahead to 2025, we carry forward the values that define the AFP – honor, service, patriotism. We will accelerate the AFP modernization program, ensuring that our armed forces remain capable of safeguarding our nation amidst evolving geopolitical and environmental challenges,” the military chief stressed.