THE MANILA TIMES | Published January 5, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In April 2024, a spokesman for former president Rodrigo Duterte suggested that the Philippines and China had entered into an undisclosed “gentleman’s agreement” between 2016 and 2022. China would not challenge the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, and the Philippines would send only basic supplies to its personnel and facilities on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. But now, the Philippines is emerging as an essential player in resisting China’s strategic ambitions in the region, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration asserting Philippine maritime claims through naval confrontations and new legislation.
This comes at a time when the country is facing a quieter but equally serious threat at home. The recent, high-profile case of Alice Guo — a former mayor accused of graft, money laundering and espionage — shows how domestic corruption leaves the Philippines vulnerable to Chinese infiltration and subterfuge. How the Philippines navigates this challenge could shape not only its future but also the broader stability of Southeast Asia.
In addition to conducting aggressive military maneuvers in the surrounding seas, China is also pursuing strategic investments and subtler forms of manipulation to push Philippine leaders (at all levels of government) into a more China-friendly stance. This is in keeping with its global strategy of building influence through investments targeting other countries’ elites, clandestine business alliances and economic incentives. As the Philippines approaches critical elections in 2025 and 2028, China will try to befriend or otherwise gain sway over anyone who is open to its overtures.
Given these efforts, one cannot rule out a future Philippine government that adopts China’s own model of governance, state control and mass surveillance. Such a government might not only consult China’s authoritarian playbook to quash dissent; he or she could also leverage China’s resources and international political support to evade scrutiny and accountability. Institutions meant to serve the Filipino people would become tools for monitoring and restricting opponents and critics, and China would have secured itself a valuable foothold in Southeast Asia.
China has been stepping up its information operations globally, using the Philippines as a testing ground for tactics designed to propagate anti-American narratives and build pro-Chinese sentiment. Through platforms like Facebook and TikTok, which many Filipinos rely on for news, Chinese accounts amplify content that casts doubt on Philippine-US relations and erodes social trust within Philippine society.
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SOURCE: www.manilatimes.net
RELATED: China ‘monster ship’ spotted near Luzon
GMA NETWORK | Published January 5, 2025
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday evening confirmed the presence of the so-called ”monster ship” of the China Coast Guard (CCG) near Luzon.
In a statement, the PCG said their team first spotted CCG vessel 5901 some 54 nautical miles away from Capones Island, Zambales using Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection System.
It then dispatched BRP Cabra, a helicopter, and the PCG Caravan, which confirmed at 5 p.m. that the Chinese vessel was in the area.
The PCG also challenged the presence of the CCG by asserting that the vessel was inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
At 8 p.m., the vessel was reported to be heading west and was last seen 85 nautical miles away from Zambales.
“The PCG remains committed to closely monitoring this Chinese Coast Guard vessel to ensure that Filipino fishermen can operate safely and without harassment within our Exclusive Economic Zone,” the PCG statement read.
The presence of the Chinese vessel was first reported by security analyst Ray Powell.
“Today ‘The Monster’ China Coast Guard 5901 has brought its intrusive patrol even further east from Scarborough Shoal. It is now asserting #China’s claim of jurisdiction just 50 nautical miles from the #Philippines’ main island of Luzon,” Powell said in a post on X on Saturday morning.
The ”monster ship” weighs 12,000 tons, which is five times more than the two largest ships of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), he added.
National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said it is not surprising that China has a monster ship lurking in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) because Chinese ships have been occupying the area for a long time.
He said Filipino fishermen are still able to get close to the area as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the PCG also ensure the continuous delivery of crude oil and other supplies to fishermen to support their activities in the area.
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SOURCE: www.gmanetwork.com
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