China has for years spent billions of dollars to build a “bluewater navy” capable of projecting power far beyond its own shores, a strategic direction that dates to President Xi Jinping’s assumption of leadership in 2012.

Article by F. Palafox Published on April 21, 2026 8:20AM MANILA, Philippines — The Stratbase Institute on Sunday voiced strong backing for the Philippines' largest-ever Balikatan exercises, urging deeper military ties with allies and a robust defense stance in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as tensions with China escalate. ¹ Stratbase president and CEO Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit hailed the April 20 to May 8 drills, involving over 17,000 troops from the Philippines, the US,

MANILA, Philippines — The troop numbers hover around 17,500 from seven (7) nations including the US, Australia, and Japan. US 2026 Balikatan spokesperson Colonel Robert Bunn acknowledged routine "tweaks" for asset availability, standard regardless of Middle East operations. This reinforces interoperability and deterrence in the West Philippine Sea context.

These priorities are already visible in recent defense and security agreements between the Philippines and Japan. They include the 2024 Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which facilitates joint exercises and port visits, and the Acquisition and Cross‑Servicing Agreement (ACSA) signed in January 2026, enabling mutual logistical support between the two militaries. ² Taken together, Manila and Tokyo say these arrangements aim to foster a stable, law‑abiding maritime environment

The AFP’s announcement reflects a deliberate national security posture aimed at sustaining deterrence, operational readiness, and intelligence coverage in the WPS despite looming logistical constraints from the oil crisis. By prioritizing operational missions over administrative functions, the military signals its commitment to territorial defense while maintaining essential disaster response capabilities.

The provisional arrangement at Ayungin Shoal has achieved its immediate objective of preventing violent confrontations, allowing for consistent logistical support to the BRP Sierra Madre. However, the continued signal jamming, the surge in armed Chinese boats in late 2025, and the displacement of coercive pressure to Scarborough Shoal indicate that underlying tensions remain unresolved.

Reducing tensions is a legitimate diplomatic objective, but pragmatism should not come at the expense of long-term national interests. Any arrangement that blurs UNCLOS and the outcome of the 2016 Arbitral Award risks diluting their practical force over time. Instead of advancing the rule of law at sea and defending Philippine maritime rights and interests, the July 2024 arrangement appears to have accommodated an unlawful claim already rejected by a binding international tri

The information acquired by the suspects include the list of Philippine Navy personnel, data of those engaged in WPS operations, and operational details like the timing and schedule of rotation and resupply missions in Philippine outposts in the area.