Philippines boosting defense spending amid PRC clashes in South China Sea
Reuters
The Philippines is allocating $4.38 billion for defense spending in 2025, officials announced, up 6.4% from the 2024 budget as the country modernizes and boosts its external defenses.
The proposed increase in defense spending comes amid growing tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea, most of which the People’s Republic of China (PRC) claims as its territory despite an international tribunal dismissing those assertions.
The defense budget accounts for 4% of the government’s proposed 2025 spending plan, which was submitted to Congress in late July for approval.
About 80% of the defense budget will go to land, air and naval defense programs, the Budget Ministry said, with most of the remainder funding the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ revised modernization plan, which reflects a shift from internal to external defense.
The planned defense spending is dedicated to “uphold our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman told lawmakers.
Manila says it will continue asserting its rights in the South China Sea even after it reached a “provisional arrangement” with the PRC about Philippine resupply missions to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal. Chinese vessels have sought to harass and block Philippine vessels delivering supplies.
In a case brought by the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that Beijing’s expansive claims in the South China Sea have no basis under international law. The PRC continues to ignore the ruling, however, and persists with illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous tactics in the strategic waterway.
Manila’s proposed 2025 budget includes a 6% increase for the Philippine Coast Guard, which conducts patrols and escorts resupply missions in the South China Sea.
