Thanks for the article Jonathan!
via Defense News.
* Chinese aggression can no longer be ignored or denied.
* Do NOT make the mistake of believing that a superior military power will be victorious when invading a smaller country. THE MOST DETERMINED ALWAYS WIN...if you're fighting for your home, you have tremendous MOTIVATION.
* Read the history of the war between China and Vietnam. I expect replays of that conflict to break out soon.
* Do not underestimate the Philippine Marine Corps. They are small, yet fierce fighters and have a wealth of experience operating in the Jungles and are considered RELIABLE by the democratically elected government (over several administrations).
I said all that to say this. If the Phillipines are seeing China as a clear threat then we have crossed a line and are heading toward danger. They are not a wealthy people but are now devoting an increasingly large portion of their national treasure towards defense.
That should be both telling and chilling for Asia watchers.
via Defense News.
“We have a clear message to the world: The Philippines is for Filipinos, and we have the capability to resist bullies entering our backyard,” Aquino told naval chiefs.A few things.
Aquino detailed a 75 billion peso military modernization program that gives priority to upgrading the Navy, which is one of the weakest in Southeast Asia. He said by 2017 the Philippines would acquire two new frigates, two helicopters capable of anti-submarine warfare, three fast vessels for coastal patrols and eight amphibious assault vehicles.
“We will also improve our communications, intelligence and surveillance systems,” he said.
The Philippines has been locked for more than two years in an increasingly hostile dispute with China over rival claims to the South China Sea, which is believed to sit atop vast resources of oil and gas. China insists it has sovereign rights to most of the sea, even waters close to the coasts of Southeast Asian countries. Aside from the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan also claim parts of the sea.
China has in recent years taken what the Philippines and Vietnam say are increasingly aggressive actions to assert its claims. The Philippines said that on May 21, three Chinese vessels — a warship and two maritime surveillance vessels — had established a presence near the Filipino-claimed Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin.
* Chinese aggression can no longer be ignored or denied.
* Do NOT make the mistake of believing that a superior military power will be victorious when invading a smaller country. THE MOST DETERMINED ALWAYS WIN...if you're fighting for your home, you have tremendous MOTIVATION.
* Read the history of the war between China and Vietnam. I expect replays of that conflict to break out soon.
* Do not underestimate the Philippine Marine Corps. They are small, yet fierce fighters and have a wealth of experience operating in the Jungles and are considered RELIABLE by the democratically elected government (over several administrations).
I said all that to say this. If the Phillipines are seeing China as a clear threat then we have crossed a line and are heading toward danger. They are not a wealthy people but are now devoting an increasingly large portion of their national treasure towards defense.
That should be both telling and chilling for Asia watchers.