A NATIONAL defense analyst warns Philippine authorities that China would do anything save the use of military might to maintain its presence in the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“This is part of what we call Chinese greyzone operation. The Chinese Coast Guard and military militia will do every means, measures, short of actual use of force. In a way, it is not new because it has been consistent,” said Prof. Renato de Castro in mixed Filipino and English.
Castro, who teaches international studies at the De La Salle University, indicated that Beijing’s bullying tactics at the WPS were expected. China intends to show us that they are unhappy with us over the unfolding of events in the disputed waters.
Among the potential causes of Beijing’s displeasure or anger was the Philippines’ deployment of the US Mid-Range Capability (MRC) or Typhon system.
The Typhon is a mobile, ground-to-air missile system designed to enhance the United States Army’s long-range strike capabilities.
Developed by Lockheed Martin, the Typhon features a modular design, enabling it to launch a variety of missiles, including the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile and the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6), with ranges between 240 kilometers (150 miles) and 2,500 km (1,550 miles).
As a result, the system can target military bases in southern China, the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and parts of the Western Pacific.
That is why Beijing is expected to continue to express dismay over the deployment of the Typhon systems provided by Washington starting last April, Castro said.
Over the past months, the Chinese Coast Guard and military militia have heightened their harassment of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), even using Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD) that involves extremely powerful loudspeakers capable of emitting sound at volumes high enough to damage eardrums and potentially cause permanent hearing impairment.
Castro said the Philippines could expect the worse from China.
He also urged the Philippine government to simply ignore China’s call to withdraw the Typhon missile launchers, as this could be used in the future to beef up security.
“Let’s not forget, their Coast Guard fleet is large, and we can see that it’s not just one, but three. We should expect that they might even deploy 10 more. They’re making it clear to us that they are capable of deploying there,” Castro stressed.
“Let’s not even think of dismantling the Typhon missiles launchers. If China pushed beyond the greyzone and use force, we have a shield for self-defense. Let us hope we don’t have to follow that path,” he added.
The MRC was meant to fill the gap between short-range missile systems and long-range strike capabilities, enabling precise targeting in highly defended, contested areas.
The Typhon battery, consisting of four launchers, a command center, and supporting logistical vehicles, is part of the task force’s Strategic Fires Battalion. This unit also includes High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Dark Eagle Hypersonic missile batteries.
Manila announced last year its plans to acquire the system to protect its maritime interests.
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun cautioned in June that the deployment of the Typhon system was “severely damaging regional security and stability.”
Philippine defense and military officials have rejected China’s demand to remove the missile launchers from the Philippine territory in the WPS.