Ray Powell, a maritime security analyst and former US military, said China’s actions in the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPOS) could be classified as “occupation.”
Powell also urged the Philippines to adopt a new strategy to prevent further encroachment of its territories.
“[The] situation in the West Philippine Sea is constantly evolving and today I would really classify it as one of being under occupation,” Powell, who is also a fellow of Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute and director of SeaLight, said.
The group tracks China’s “expansive and aggressive maritime gray zone programs.”
Powell, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said that the term “occupation” was “inflammatory,” but he said China’s actions all point to that conclusion.
“Realistically looking at the data, looking at the way China is increasing its presence around Scarborough, denying the Philippines access to places like Sabina shoal, all of these lead me to the conclusion that China is trying to control a very, very large heart of the West Philippine Sea,” he told ANC’s Headstart.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. earlier said the country would not deploy Philippine Navy warships in the West Philippine Sea to counter China’s presence, ABS-CBN News reported.
Powell meanwhile suggested that the Philippines counter China’s “maritime occupation” by “exploiting” their position as the “occupier,” which he said was a resource-intensive endeavor.
“When you try to control that much water, it’s going to take a huge toll on your coast guard, maritime militia, navy so it’s important for the Philippines to stay out there and continue to make China work for all that it’s trying to do in the West Philippine Sea,” Powell said.
“Occupation is a very resource-intensive endeavor and they tend to wear the occupier thin over time,” he added.
However, he also acknowledged that China is a military superpower and wearing it down would take a very long time.
“The Philippines by engaging in these constant patrols, bringing the photographers… has the opportunity over a long period of time to wear China down but it is a long-term endeavor… It’s a long struggle,” he said.
He cited the United States’ war in Vietnam in the 70s as an example that “in the end, all countries engaged in this get worn down.”
