The U.S. plans to deploy more advanced missile systems to the Philippines as both countries step up efforts to push back against China’s growing pressure in the South China Sea.
Following high-level talks, US and Philippine officials condemned what they called China’s illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions in the disputed waters.
“Both sides condemned China’s illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities in the South China Sea, recognizing their adverse effects on regional peace and stability and the economies of the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” the two countries said in the statement on Tuesday.
They said that more advanced U.S. missiles and other unmanned systems will be sent to the Philippines this year.
Officials also discussed improving U.S. missile launchers.
Philippine leaders said the systems are mainly for deterrence.
The new deployments come as both treaty allies expand joint military drills and upgrade the Philippine armed forces.
Officials also announced plans for another high-level two-plus-two meeting in the U.S. later this year.
Both countries are also moving forward with new economic projects, including a freight rail line linking former U.S. bases in the Philippines.
China strongly opposed similar U.S. deployments in 2024.
That included the Typhoon mid-range missile system and an anti-ship launcher station in the northern Philippines near strategic waters close to Taiwan.
Beijing demanded the systems be removed, but the Philippine president refused.
The Scarborough Shoal, located within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines, has been a major dispute between China and the Philippines since 2012 when the Chinese maritime forces took effective control after a standoff with the Philippines.
Despite the Philippines winning the South China Sea Arbitration ruling in 2016 which invalidated China’s claim on Scarborough Shoal, including the “nine-dash line”, China continued patrols in the disputed areas.
Philippine authorities have reported multiple incidents of aggressive behaviour by the Chinese military since 2021 where Chinese Coast Guard shadowed or blocked Philippine vessels, sprayed water-cannon, laser-point, and collided with Philippine ships.
