‘Any time, any place’: Philippine army to be deployed to South China Sea islands

A senior Philippine military official has revealed a soon-to-be-deployed strategy that would involve an army contingent to support law enforcement units on occupied islands in the South China Sea.

Observers said the strategy would align with Manila’s policy shift from an internal to external defence posture aimed at protecting the country’s territorial waters. One expert, however, warned that it could lead to more aggressive moves by the Chinese navy and coastguard if Beijing were to view Manila’s plan as an escalation.

The Philippine army’s chief, Lieutenant General Roy Galido, on Tuesday told reporters that his troops were now capable of rapid deployment and could operate effectively on various terrains and under different situations.

“We’re ready. As you’ve heard and based on our exercises, the army right now is highly mobile and very agile. We can be lifted. A battalion size can always be lifted at any time and can be brought to any place in our country.”

The army, the largest branch of the Philippine military, has about 150,000 active personnel and 1.2 million reservists.

At present, only Philippine navy personnel and a few coastguard members are assigned to nine features in the Kalayaan Island group: Pag-asa Island, Parola Island, Ayungin Shoal, Lawak Island, Kota Island, Likas Island, Panata Island, Patag Island and Rizal Reef.