Philippine Army shifts focus to territorial defense amid regional tensions

Benar News

The Philippine Army has shifted its focus to territorial defense from internal security fueled by the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) increasing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea, the Army’s commanding general said in mid-February 2023.

Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said troops required a new mindset to focus on an external enemy from fighting domestic insurgents and communists.

“We are now transitioning from an internal security operations focus to territorial defense,” Brawner, pictured, said during a news conference at the Army’s headquarters.

His comments came days after the Philippine military called for Beijing to restrain its forces in the South China Sea after a Chinese coast guard ship performed dangerous maneuvers and pointed a military-grade laser at a Philippine Coast Guard ship.

“There is a common theme among armies around the world: Wars will be fought on land, so we have to be prepared,” Brawner said.

As part of the Philippine military’s modernization program, the Army has in recent years acquired more weapons, including an autonomous truck-mounted howitzer system 155 mm self-propelled guns — the biggest in its arsenal ­— multilaunch rocket systems and land-based missile systems.

“If any invaders come near the land of the Philippines or inland, your [Army] is ready to defend the nation,” Brawner said.

Along with weapons upgrades, training must reflect the changing military landscape, he said. “It’s really reorganizing our organization and training our troops to address external threats.”

Beijing’s aggressive actions have heightened geopolitical tensions in the region from the South China Sea to Taiwan.

The PRC claims nearly all of the resource-rich South China Sea, including portions within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Beijing continues to ignore an international tribunal’s 2016 ruling in favor of the Philippines that invalidated the PRC’s expansive claims.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party has renewed its threats to invade Taiwan, which it claims as its territory, including staging its largest-ever military drills around the self-governed island in August 2022.

The Philippines recently granted the United States access to four additional military sites under the allies’ Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, a move seen as central to deterring an invasion of Taiwan.

In addition, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed openness to reaching a visiting forces agreement with Japan.

The Philippine Army supports an improved relationship with Tokyo, Brawner said, as it would allow more Soldiers to conduct military and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises with their Japanese counterparts. He noted that Philippine troops deployed to Turkey for rescue operations after the massive earthquake in February 2023 were “trained and equipped by the Japanese government.”

Brawner also welcomed proposals for the Philippines to establish visiting forces agreements with partners including New Zealand, South Korea and other Southeast Asian countries.

Citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Brawner emphasized the importance of allied forces working together. “If we look at what is happening now in the world, interoperability is very important. It has to start with trainings,” he said.

“I think if we are allowed to train with our partners, it would be more beneficial not just for the Philippine government, [the] Armed Forces of the Philippines, I believe also for their armed forces,” he said.

The Philippines and the U.S. plan to hold large joint exercises in 2023, with about 3,000 troops from both nations expected to take part in exercise Salaknib, up from 2,200 in 2022.

IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS