The Stratbase ADR Institute strongly condemned the latest act of Chinese aggression in Philippine waters, following an August 11 incident involving Chinese vessels that led to a dangerous collision during a lawful Philippine Coast Guard resupply mission in Bajo de Masinloc.
Stratbase President Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit labeled the incident a “direct affront to the international system,” citing China’s continued disregard for the 2016 Arbitral Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which affirm the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.
“This latest incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need to uphold international law and defend the rules-based order against repeated violations,” Manhit said, calling on the Marcos Jr. administration to stand firm in asserting national sovereignty and protecting Filipino fisherfolk and maritime personnel.
Stratbase also emphasized the need to deepen partnerships with like-minded nations to deter future acts of aggression and promote a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
In a related roundtable organized by Stratbase, security experts from U.S. think tank The Heritage Foundation echoed the call for the Philippines to strengthen its defense posture. Senior Policy Advisor Wilson Beaver stressed the importance of boosting the country’s self-defense capabilities, regardless of whether military equipment is sourced from the U.S., Japan, or South Korea.
“The Philippines needs more military capabilities to defend itself. Our goal is deterrence—not conflict,” Beaver said, highlighting Washington’s strong commitment to regional allies like the Philippines and Taiwan.
Heritage Foundation’s Robert Peters added that public awareness and political will are essential to defense modernization, noting that popular support is crucial for meaningful national security reforms.
Manhit reaffirmed the strategic importance of the U.S.–Philippines alliance, emphasizing it as a model for regional cooperation rooted in international law. “Amid these perilous times, steadfast partnerships are indispensable to achieving peace and security in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
The visit of Heritage Foundation experts to the Philippines is part of a broader tour across Asia to assess regional security needs and inform future U.S. policy and defense cooperation.
