South China Sea: Philippines to put military base near Taiwan in high gear to tackle tensions with Beijing

Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said military infrastructure in Batanes province will be ramped up to ‘ensure the overall safety and integrity of our nation’

His comments underscore Manila’s efforts to build its security capability as tensions with China flared up in recent months

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A Philippine air force Black Hawk helicopter lands in Mavulis Island, Batanes, in June 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:02pm, 7 Feb 2024

The Philippines aims to boost military presence and infrastructure in the country’s northernmost province near Taiwan, according to its defence chief, amid tensions with Beijing over the South China Sea.

“Starting 2024, the operational tempo for the AFP will be higher,” Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr was quoted as saying on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Teodoro, who was accompanied by military chief Romeo Brawner Jnr and other officials, made the comments after visiting a naval detachment in Batanes province where a naval base is also being constructed.

Teodoro called for increased military presence and the development of more structures in Batanes, which he described in the February 6 statement as the “spearhead of the Philippines as far as the northern baseline is concerned.” Batanes is about 200km (124 miles) from Taiwan.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. While many nations, including the US, do not officially acknowledge Taiwan as an independent state, they oppose any use of force to alter the existing status quo.