Vol. VI, No. 21 - November 15, 2024
The recent signing of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act is being touted by the reactionary government as a move to "safeguard" the country’s national interests. These laws institutionalize the 2016 decision of the International Arbitral Tribunal, which affirmed the Philippines' rights over its exclusive economic zone and rejected China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. While these measures are framed as a victory for national sovereignty, they risk serving as instruments for the United States and NATO to exploit the ongoing dispute and provoke China militarily, further entangling the Philippines in a war not of its own making.
The South China Sea has been a flashpoint for disputes, including those involving the Philippines and China. These conflicts stem from overlapping territorial claims and the strategic importance of the region's rich resources. Despite the complexities, the only viable and sustainable path forward lies in peaceful resolution through dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international legal mechanisms like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, the involvement of external powers, particularly the United States, NATO allies such as France and the UK, and Japan, risks transforming a regional issue into a proxy battleground for inter-imperialist war.
The US and its NATO allies have seized on the maritime disputes as an opportunity to assert their military and political dominance in Asia under the guise of promoting "freedom of navigation." France and the UK, both former colonial powers in Southeast Asia, have recently issued inflammatory statements and deployed naval forces to the region, claiming to support the Philippines and other claimants against China. Meanwhile, Japan, itself a former imperialist aggressor in the Philippines, has amplified its rhetoric and committed to deeper military cooperation with Manila.
Filipinos must reject these overtures with vigilance. History shows us that these imperialist powers are not concerned with protecting the sovereignty of the Philippines, but are more concerned about advancing their hegemonic agendas. The US, under its "Pivot to Asia" strategy, has long sought to contain China's rise by militarizing the region and fostering divisions among Asian nations. NATO's involvement, driven by its members' waning global influence, further complicates the situation, dragging the Philippines into conflicts it should have no part in.
On the other hand, Marcos Jr. has allowed the U.S. to expand its military footprint in the country, transforming it into a strategic stronghold for American forces. By granting greater access to military bases through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and permitting U.S. troops to participate in war exercises and maritime operations, Marcos Jr. is recklessly entangling the Philippines in U.S.-led provocations against China. This subservience undermines the Philippines' sovereignty and puts its people at risk of becoming collateral damage in the brewing inter-imperialist war.
The Filipino people must remain vigilant against imperialist maneuvers that exploit regional tensions to justify the militarization of the South China Sea. These actions are part of a broader strategy to provoke armed conflict with China and drag the Philippines into an inter-imperialist war that serves the interests of foreign powers, not the Filipino people. Our nation’s sovereignty and peace cannot be sacrificed at the altar of imperialist rivalry. It is imperative to resist these schemes and demand a peaceful resolution to the South China Sea conflict.